Joey Votto

[AmarilloRed]

I dont think he will be going to Lf in the short term, unless we get a absolute wonderful trade offer for Adam Dunn. I would be a lot cheaper to put Votto at Lf instead of paying Dunn for his option. I think you have to consider both possibilities.

[neelm]

Do you think there is a possibility that Votto might get traded?

[reds44]

Originally Posted by neelm

Do you think there is a possibility that Votto might get traded?

None.

[neelm]

Good

[KronoRed]

1) Should he be up with the Reds now? Yes
2) Who would you rather have at 1st base right now, Votto or Hatteberg? Votto

3) Are the Reds wasting their time trying him at LF? Absoloutly

4) What does Votto need to work on to become a better baseball player? Facing major league pitching

5) When is the latest date that you feel he will be with the Reds? Opening day next year

[KronoRed]

Putting Votto in left for the major league club would be a foolish short sighted move.

[mth123]

Originally Posted by Aronchis

Putting Votto at first and then getting a cheaper LF is more likely. We already have inhouse candidates.

I think that makes sense too. I actually prefer Dunn in LF and Votto at 1B. But here is the thing. All we've been hearing since last year, when it was fairly evident that with the "take the first pitch" restrictions off, that Votto was a pure hitter that could rake, was that defense at 1B was all that was holding him back. If that is so, what possible explanation could there be for him getting so much time in LF (4 days in a row seems more than an occasional start there)? He's not improving his defense at 1B by playing LF. It seems to me that if he's in the minors to work on his defense at 1B, then he would be playing 1B unless there is some other reason to play LF instead. The only logical reason I can come up with is that he's going to play LF in the majors at least some of the time. It just doesn't make sense to move him off of 1B defensively if that is what he primarily needs to work on.

[toledodan]

i want votto up here but only if he's playing everyday! i don't have a problem with votto in left field. if dunn can play the outfield i'm convinced anyone with major league talent should be able to unless their out of shape.(see D Young)

[GoReds]

I think Votto's appearance in the outfield has a direct correlation to Freel's injury. If Freel was available, the Dunn trade could go through and the Reds would still have adequate OF coverage with Griffey, Hamilton, Hopper and Freel. Without Freel, that 3/4 outfield spot isn't covered, hence the Votto hedge in LF.

I expect Dunn to be traded shortly.