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Joey Votto News & Rumors

Trib columnist: Votto to Blue Jays an 'inevitable acquisition'
February 2
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers is taking a closer look at each team in his Power Rankings leading up to the start of Spring Training. (By the way, did you see that SI.com and CBSSports.com both have the Reds ranked No. 9 in Power Rankings?) A couple of hours ago, Rogers released his 15th-ranked team, the Blue Jays, which probably wouldn't interest Reds fans much, right? Well, no. You're going to want to read it, as it turns out. Rogers begins his analysis of the Blue Jays with a bang. Rogers' words: One more year, two at the most. Unless that pesky Mayan calendar is correct, and the Earth drifts into a black hole or is attacked by a higher species we never knew existed, Joey"
Votto and the Prince factor
January 26
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Prince Fielder signing with Detroit means the chances of Joey Votto re-signing with the Reds are hovering just above zero, right? While that is probably correct, I don't think it's an absolute lock that Votto doesn't re-up. The Reds are in no position to give him a nine-year, $214 million deal like the Tigers gave Fielder. But I think they could swing a shorter deal at an average annual salary close to what Fielder is getting ($23.7 million). Maybe four or five years. Would Votto be willing to do that? I don't know, but he chose a three-year deal over longer one when he signed last year."
Votto is looking forward
December 3
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"This offseason could not be much more different for first baseman Joey Votto. A year ago, he had just been named MVP. There were a lot of things that went along with that - appearances, press conferences. He was also negotiating a long-term contract. At Redsfest 2010, Votto's future was a huge topic. This offseason, by comparison, has been very quiet. "It's been totally different," Votto said. "It's been much more quiet, much more relaxing." Votto is not a huge fan of media attention. But he would have gladly put up with some more of it - if it meant another MVP. "The competitor in me wishes last season went better," he said. "You always want to play your best." Votto, 28, had a great year"
Reds Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto win Gold Gloves
November 2
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Red first baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Brandon Phillips won Gold Glove awards, which were announced late Tuesday night. It was Phillips' third Gold Glove in four years. It was the first for Votto. He became, in fact, the first Reds' first baseman to win a Gold Glove award. Jay Bruce was also a finalist, but the right fielder lost out to Andre Ethier of the Dodgers. The awards are voted on by major league coaches and managers."
Reds deny entertaining trade offers for Joey Votto
October 12
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Reds general manager Walt Jocketty angrily denied a report by ESPN's Buster Olney that the Reds are listening to trade offers on Joey Votto. "I'm tired of talking about it," he said. "We're not shopping him. "We're not entertaining offers. It's frustrating. He's one of the best players in the game. Why would we trade him? I wish people would stop writing about it." Votto's name comes up in media speculation because of his contract situation and the Reds' limited payroll. Votto is signed through 2013. His 2013 salary is $17 million, which is steep for a club with a $80 million payroll. He will become more expensive when he reaches free agency."
Reds deny entertaining trade offers for Joey Votto
October 11
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Reds general manager Walt Jocketty angrily denied a report by ESPN's Buster Olney that the Reds are listening to trade offers on Joey Votto. "I'm tired of talking about it," he said. "We're not shopping him. "We're not entertaining offers. It's frustrating. He's one of the best players in the game. Why would we trade him? I wish people would stop writing about it." Votto's name comes up in media speculation because of his contract situation and the Reds' limited payroll. Votto is signed through 2013."
Report: Reds prepared to listen to offers for Votto
October 9
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"It's just one Tweet from one guy as far as we can tell, but ESPN's Buster Olney reporting that the Reds are fully prepared to listen to offers for Joey Votto has led to much speculation on Twitter."
To trade or not to trade Votto or Alonso
October 2
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"When you're in the position the Reds are in - limited payroll, needs to fill - you have to be willing to make some hard choices. Which brings us to today's question: Do you trade Joey Votto or Yonder Alonso? It doesn't make sense to have both on the roster. Both are left-handed hitting first baseman. The Reds have tried to get around that fact by moving Alonso to left field. Right now, the plan is to have both on the roster. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty thinks that can work out. "Well, I hope so," Jocketty said. "We've got to continue to get Alonso more playing time, so he's more comfortable in left field.""
Joey Votto homers in 14th to end Jordan Zimmermann's final game of season
August 29
Washington Post
 
"Jordan Zimmermann's season, one of the best by a pitcher in the Washington Nationals' brief history, deserved a better end than the one that unfolded Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park. He finished his shortest start this year by walking in the go-ahead run. He skulked off the mound shaking his head with a mess behind him, a Cincinnati Red occupying each base. The end became more painful hours later, as Zimmermann watched a loopy finish devolve into a 5-4 walk-off loss. After the Nationals rallied to take the lead in the ninth inning, Drew Storen blew a save and Collin Balester lost it in the 14th, when Joey Votto lined an opposite-field home run into the first row in left field."
Joey Votto keeps getting better and better
August 25
Dayton Daily News
 
"THE MORE YOU watch Joey Votto, the more you shake your head and wonder why any pitcher throws him a strike. Votto is on the same level as Albert Pujols on that level — challenge him and pay the piper a stiff price. They try to pitch around Votto, a league-leading 93 walks, but they also try to pitch him away, on the outside corner. Big mistake. Votto is one of the best lefthanded hitters I've ever seen at hitting the ball to left field — and not just for base hits, but for mind-numbing power. ON WEDNESDAY, the Cincinnati Reds split a doubleheader with the Florida Marlins in Sun Life Stadium, a place that has fewer people in seats than a church on Mondays. Votto was 5 for 7 with two home"
Phillips move has helped Votto
August 23
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Call it the residual effect. The Reds put Brandon Phillips in the leadoff spot to give the offense a spark. Phillips has been good there. He's 11-for-22 with three walks in the five games. But by moving Phillips to first in the order, Jay Bruce was moved to up to fourth behind Joey Votto. Having Phillips first and Bruce fourth seems to have worked for Joey Votto. He's 7-for-18 with three home runs and eight RBI and hitting .389/.520/.889 since the switch."
Votto shouldn't have to move from first base
August 19
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Joey Votto doesn't want to play leftfield. He'd rather stay at first base, where he has worked hard and diligently at becoming a decent defensive player. For that, he's suddenly Benedict Arnold. He's not a Team Player. Votto is selfish and unreasonable and probably puts ketchup on his scrambled eggs. This is the local drift, now that Yonder Alonso has shown conclusively that he is not a ballerina in left field. It's ridiculous, of course. Votto has never admitted to putting ketchup on his scrambled eggs. But seriously ... Votto should stay put. This isn't a Votto problem. It's a Reds problem. They made a dumb draft pick, unless they figured Bud Selig would realign them to the American"
Dusty: Votto is MVP - at first base
August 19
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Reds manager Dusty Baker was asked about the possibility of moving Joey Votto to left field to open a spot for Yonder Alonso. Votto has made it clear he doesn't want to move. "Joey's worked hard to play first base," Baker said. "He's worked real hard. I didn't say it was a bad idea or a good idea. I just said he's worked hard to play first base." Votto was voted by the National League managers as the league's best defensive first baseman in a Baseball America poll. Votto's Ultimate Zone Rating, according to fangraphs.com, is third best in majors among first baseman – behind Gold Glovers Adrian Gonzalez of Boston and Mark Teixiera of the New York Yankees. "You don't know if Votto can play"
Doc: Blame Baseball if Votto leaves
August 12
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Joey Votto lined a game-winning home run to left field in his last at-bat Wednesday night, then roped a double to the top of the left field wall in his first appearance Thursday afternoon. Vintage-Votto power to the opposite field. For now at least, the technician is back on top of his game. In a year of glaring, shrieking, five-alarm inconsistency, the Reds best player has maintained the most level head. He has been frustrated by a lack of hit-worthy pitches. He has toiled most of the summer without a bona fide slugger hitting behind him. Brandon Phillips does noble duty at cleanup. He's not a cleanup hitter. He has learned what it's like to receive the Reigning MVP Treatment. Votto sees"
Votto wins NL Player of the Week Award
August 2
MLB.com
 
"The reigning National League MVP is also the reigning National League Player of the Week. Reds first baseman Joey Votto took home the second weekly award of his career on Monday after last earning it in September 2009. From July 25-31, Votto tied for the league lead in home runs (four) and RBIs (nine). He homered on three straight days from Tuesday through Thursday against the Mets, marking the second time in his career he's gone deep in a three-game stretch."
Were the Reds working on something big?
August 2
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"We know that the Reds swung and missed on the trade front on Hunter Pence, Michael Bourn and Ubaldo Jimenez. But is there a chance they were working on something much bigger? A reader tipped me a while back that he has a friend in baseball who told him the Reds were talking to the Blue Jays about a trade Jose Bautista-for-Joey Votto trade. The Reds would have had to kick in a prospect as well. I get tips like that from time to time. I usually dismiss them. But the fact that the Blue Jays sent a scout to Dayton to specifically watch Daniel Corcino, probably the Reds best pitching prospect, tells me they were talking trade with the Reds."
Tired Joey Votto sits against knuckleballer
July 26
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Reds manager Dusty Baker said had he planned to rest Joey Votto sometime during the Mets series, and Votto took a seat for the series opener Monday night. "You've seen Joey lately, ain't you?" Baker said. "He's been struggling, so today was a day to give him off." Entering Monday, Votto in his last five games was hitting .118 (2-for-17). Since the All-Star break Votto is hitting .212 with no homers and four RBI. His last homer was July 8. Votto overall is hitting .315 with 13 homers and 59 RBI this season. He made the All-Star team for the second straight year, and entered Monday leading the NL in on-base percentage (.425), walks (70) and batting average with runners in scoring position"
Star trio would consider Home Run Derby
July 5
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"If asked, Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips will swing away. Joey Votto will strongly consider it. None of the Reds' three All-Stars has heard anything about participating in the Home Run Derby. "I'd do it," Phillips said. "It's something to do. But why are they going to ask me? I've only got eight." Bruce would also jump at the chance. "I would do it," he said. "It's not something you're going to get the opportunity to do very often. It would be fun. But I'm sure there are a lot of guys on the list." Votto is as meticulous in his hitting preparation as anyone in baseball. A lot of players like that don't like to participate for fear it will throw their swing off. Still, Votto would consider"
Three Reds named to All-Star team
July 4
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Jay Bruce joined Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips as reserves on the National League squad for the All-Star Game on July 12 in Phoenix. All three were voted in by the players. It is Bruce's first All-Star Game. Votto and Phillips are going back for the second straight year. Votto was thrilled his buddy, Bruce, made it. "I was probably more happy that he got in than myself," Votto said. "He had such great month. He hit so many homers. He deserved to get in. Brandon was a layup. It was an easy pick. I'm kind of surprised he's not starting. No disrespect to whoever's starting. (Brandon's) my teammate." Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks beat out Phillips and Milwaukee first baseman Prince"
Three Reds named to All-Star team
July 3
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Jay Bruce joined Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips today as reserves on the National League squad for the All-Star Game on July 12 in Phoenix. All three were voted in by the players. It is Bruce's first All-Star Game. Votto and Phillips are going back for the second straight year. Votto was thrilled his buddy, Bruce, made it. "I was probably more happy that he got in than myself," Votto said. "He had such great month. He hit so many homers. He deserved to get in. Brandon was a layup. It was an easy pick. I'm kind of surprised he's not starting. No disrespect to whoever's starting. (Brandon's) my teammate." Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks beat out Phillips and Milwaukee first baseman"
Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto slip in All-Star vote
June 28
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"It's coming down to the wire for Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips and first baseman Joey Votto to be voted in as National League starters in the All-Star Game July 12 in Arizona. With only four days left to vote, both players are in tight races. Monday, Phillips fell behind Milwaukee's Rickie Weeks, who had trailed the Red by almost 300,000 votes two weeks ago. But Weeks is now up by nearly 100,00 in the last update of the voting. At first base, St. Louis' Albert Pujols is the leader but is injured and will not be able to play. Milwaukee's Prince Fielder leads Votto by nearly 100,000 votes. Ballpark balloting is over but fans can still vote online at MLB.com until 11:59 p.m. Thursday."
Votto collects Lou Marsh Award
June 19
Toronto Star
 
"Even while competing for attention in a Winter Olympic year during which Canadian athletes won gold medals on home soil for the first time, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto overcame the odds to become the Lou Marsh Award winner as 2010 Canadian athlete of the year. The vote was announced in December. The award was officially presented on Saturday at Great American Ball Park to the Etobicoke native, reigning NL MVP and 2010 Hank Aaron Award winner by Toronto Star publisher John Cruickshank. The timing of the presentation was significant. Votto's father had been an important part of his life growing up. When his dad, Joe, passed away in August of 2008, young Joey took it hard. He"
Votto credits Canadian mentor for most of what he knows
June 17
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Before he was on a Sports Illustrated cover, named the National League's Most Valuable Player, or rewarded with a $38 million contract, Joey Votto was just one of countless 15-year-olds who had sought guidance from youth baseball coach Bob Smyth at an indoor facility in suburban Toronto. Votto has said that 90 percent of what he knows about baseball he learned from Smyth, who has been coaching young Canadians since the 1970s. The mentor, though, hesitates to take too much of the credit for his pupil's success. "You've got to understand, he had a whole bunch of natural talent too, so I wasn't dealing with clay pigeons," Smyth said. "It's all right to work hard, but same as anything else,"
Joey Votto all business for Blue Jays
June 17
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Joey Votto grew up loving his Toronto Blue Jays. Nowadays, Toronto is just another team to Votto as the Jays visit Cincinnati this weekend. Toronto native Votto, 27, was in elementary school when the Jays won World Series titles in 1992 and '93. "Oh yeah, I remember those very well," the Reds first baseman said. "I was 9 and 10 years old." Favorite Blue Jays? "I loved Joe Carter," Votto said. "Roberto Alomar is probably my favorite player of all time. I remember the entire team, John Olerud, Rickey Henderson, Devon White. The pitching staff was fantasic." Votto today is the reigning National League Most Valuable Player and face of the Reds. Yet, does he retain any feelings for the Blue"
Votto eager to face Bautista
June 11
Toronto Star
 
"Toronto's two great baseball loves will meet face to face next weekend. It's Jose Bautista vs. Joey Votto. Our adopted son taking on the prodigal. Sort of. The ever-humble Votto is really the furthest thing from wasteful (notably still spending the $600,000 signing bonus he received from the Cincinnati Reds a decade ago.)"
Homers by Bruce, Votto lift Reds past Brewers, 4-3
June 2
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Best win of the year? "Best win in a long time, long time," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. The Reds' 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday night before a crowd of 22,213 at Great American Ball Park had it all: • Drama: Go-ahead runs scored on Joey Votto's laser shot of a two-run home run in the eighth inning. Jay Bruce put the Reds back in the game with a two-run shot an inning earlier. • History: Francisco Cordero closed it out for his 300th career save. He became the 22nd player to reach the milestone and the first to do it in a Reds uniform. • Significance: The victory gave the Reds the series, kept them above .500 and came before their first day off in 20 days. "That was"
Votto 'hobbling'
May 19
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The Reds' one chance to score Wednesday night came in the first inning when Brandon Phillips doubled into the right field corner with Joey Votto at first. Votto was running noticeably slower than usual, rounding second. "He's hobbling a little bit," Baker said."
Slumping Joey Votto gets day off
May 10
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"For the Reds' 34th game, Joey Votto was rested. Votto was out of the lineup for the first time this season Monday night against the Houston Astros. Ramon Hernandez started at first base. Votto is in his first slump of the season. He went into Monday on a 3-for-21 skid. He was hitless Saturday and Sunday. It's the first time he's gone back-to-back games without a hit. Votto had his on-base streak stopped Sunday at 33 games. He has gone hitless for two straight games for the first time all year. "Of all the days, I picked today," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. The Reds face Brett Myers and Wandy Rodriguez the next two days. "He hits Myers and Wandy pretty good," Baker sad. After an off day"
Joey Votto's on-base streak comes to an end
May 9
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Joey Votto doesn't think Wrigley Field has anything to do with it, i.e, it's just a weird coincidence that his long on-base streaks have both ended there. Votto failed to reach base Sunday for the first time this year. It ended his streak at 33 games, one short of the club record for the start of the season. Votto had his 41-game on base streak end here last year. "I don't think it has anything to do with it," he said. "It just so happens that I ended it here." Last year's streak ended when Votto was ejected in the first inning for arguing balls and strikes. He argued briefly with home plate umpire Bob Davidson Sunday after a check-swing strikeout. But he said he wasn't in danger of"
Baker looking for opportunity to spell Votto
May 6
MLB.com
 
"Reds first baseman Joey Votto has started all 32 games for the Reds, including Friday, and entered the day having reached base in each of the first 31. He is three shy of Dave Collins' 1981 club record for consecutive games reaching base to start a season. Votto has played almost every inning, as well, and manager Dusty Baker would like to get him a break. But Baker also hasn't noticed any drag or fatigue on Votto's part. "He's going to need a day sooner or later," Baker said Friday. "I remember Hank Aaron used to tell us to shoot for 150 [games] and two days off a month, which are more mental days off than physical days off. There are two days a month that you're not doing anything other"
Joey Votto out of the gate quickly this season
April 10
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"If you wanted to nitpick about Joey Votto's season in 2011, you could point to his .275 batting average in April. Votto wanted to avoid that this season. "I tried to make a point in spring training to treat it like April," he said. "I'm usually a slow starter. I'm doing my best to be as focused and intense games as I can. You can kind of - what's the word? - slop through them or just get through them. I tried to make that adjustment a couple of years ago. It's paid off this year." Votto has a hit in all seven games going into Saturday night's game and was batting .407 with a .485 on-base percentage and .741 slugging percentage. He was 2-for-4 with a home run and a double in the Reds' late"
Joey Votto says he can be a more valuable player
February 20
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Joey Votto's number from last year would seem to leave him with little or no room to get better. Votto, after all, led the National League in on-base percentage (.424) and slugging percentage (.600). He hit .324 with 37 home runs and 113 RBI. He won the MVP award. But he thinks he can get better. It's not just a case of Votto setting impossibly high standards for himself, although he is driven. "I keep it in perspective," he said. "I think I'm realistic. I've told you guys in the past I genuinely believe I can do better. I have, so I still feel I can." Votto, 27 and entering his fourth full year in the majors, is the player he is because of what he can do with the bat. But he's worked hard"
Votto: Can't imagine playing elsewhere
January 18
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Joey Votto and Reds general manager Walt Jocketty both played down the significance of Votto's new contract being for three years. By signing for three years, Votto covered his arbitration years and left open the possibility of leaving via free agency after the 2013 season. Votto says that is not his intention. "I can't imagine playing anywhere else," he said. "I enjoy myself. I can't imagine being with a better team. The Yankees or Red Sox – that's a lot to deal with. I'm young in my career. I'm still learning. I don't want to go anywhere else." "Three years was just what we came to. I'm very happy. I don't have to fool with arbitration. It's cost certainty." Jocketty said there's no"
Reds give Joey Votto money, peace of mind
January 18
Cincinnati Enquirer
 columnist Paul Daugherty
"Everyone got something. Each party came away happy, which is a textbook definition of a good negotiation. The Reds got "cost certainty," a boring accounting term for knowing how deeply Joey Votto will live in their wallet the next three years. Votto got psyche certainty. He can play baseball with peace of mind. He won't worry so much about the numbers he puts up and the incessant questions he would get. Neither side wanted to go to an arbitration hearing, and that was avoided forever. Votto's a great hitter, a conscientious employee and absolutely dedicated to his craft. He's also a very sensitive, hyper-thoughtful human, who feels deeply. Teams don't always consider a player's psyche when"
Joey Votto signs three-year deal with Reds
January 18
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Joey Votto and Reds general manager Walt Jocketty both played down the significance of Votto's new contract being for three years. By signing for three years, Votto covered his arbitration years and left open the possibility of leaving via free agency after the 2013 season. Votto says that is not his intention. "I can't imagine playing anywhere else," he said. "I enjoy myself. I can't imagine being with a better team. The Yankees or Red Sox – that's a lot to deal with. I'm young in my career. I'm still learning. I don't want to go anywhere else." "Three years was just what we came to. I'm very happy. I don't have to fool with arbitration. It's cost certainty." Jocketty said there's no"
Reds, Joey Votto agree to 3-year deal
January 17
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"There's no question that avoiding arbitration for the next three years is a good thing for first baseman Joey Votto and the Reds. Arbitration can be an acrimonious process. It opens wounds in a player's relationship with a club that don't heal. The Reds and Votto avoided that Sunday when he agreed to a three-year, $38 million contract. But the contract simply buys out Votto's arbitration years. In other words, he can take his money and run to free agency after the 2013 season. Usually when players sign deals that buy out the arbitration years, the club will add a year or two that keeps the player from leaving via free agency. Why the Reds didn't is subject to speculation. The Reds can't"
Setting the market for Votto?
January 4
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The Rockies and Carlos Gonzalez have reportedly agreed to a seven-year, $80 million contract. Gonzalez finished third to Joey Votto in the MVP race. The Reds, of course, are trying to get Votto signed. Walt Jocketty had not seen the numbers on Gonzalez. "It's hard to comment without knowing the details," he said. "I think each deal is separate and different. I'm sure it will affect it some down the line." Gonzalez's situation is somewhat different. He is not eligible for arbitration like Votto. Votto also had two very good years before his great one last year. Last year was Gonzalez's first full year in the majors. So it's a little bit of apples and oranges. But it's safe to say that Votto"
Humble Votto deserving winner in Lou Marsh vote
December 15
Toronto Star
 columnist Dave Feschuk
"A few minutes after hearing he'd won the Lou Marsh Award as Canada's athlete of the year, Joey Votto was second-guessing the committee that handed him the hardware. "It almost would have been better if you'd given it to the national hockey team," Votto was saying over the line from his off-season home in Sarasota, Fla. "I'm really honoured to win this considering they won that gold medal, and Sid (Crosby) scored that goal. I was watching that game. I went bonkers, and I'm not even a hockey fan.""
Reds star Joey Votto puts off talk about long-term contract
December 5
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"You didn't need a program to figure out where Joey Votto was Saturday at Redsfest. All you had to do was look for the biggest crowd. Votto was sure to be in the middle of it. Votto, the newly named National League MVP, is the Reds' brightest star and the fan favorite. Votto has hit his stride as a player at seemingly the perfect time. He's eligible for arbitration for the first time, i.e., in perfect position to cash in on his success. But, as manager Dusty Baker says, he is a different cat. The Reds have made it clear that they would like to sign Votto to a longterm deal. But Votto isn't ready to even say he's interested until he knows for how long and how much. The Reds tendered him a"
Arroyo receives 2-year extension; Votto, Bruce deals could be next
December 4
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Now that Bronson Arroyo is in the fold until 2013, the Reds are ready for the really heavy lifting as far as contracts. Arroyo agreed to a two-year extension that will pay him $35 million over the next three years. The Reds would like to lock up National League MVP Joey Votto to a long-term deal next. Reds owner Bob Castellini is optimistic that the team can get that done. "You know we want to get something done with all these guys," Castellini said. "We're taking it one day at a time. Whatever happens happens, but we feel Joey is going to be the face of the franchise in the future.""
Reds talk to Votto, Bruce's agents
December 2
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"If the Reds were going to get involved in the free agent market, it was for bargain shopping. So far, those prices don't exist. Shortstop Juan Uribe, who hit .248 last year for the San Francisco Giants, signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Dodgers. Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa re-upped with the Colorado Rockies at $21.5 million over two years. De La Rosa went 8-7 with 4.22 ERA last year. "That's why we aren't getting involved," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. The contract that could cause trouble for the Reds is Troy Tulowitzki's seven-year extension (through 2020) with the Rockies for a total of $134 million. Jocketty said he's had preliminary discussions with the"
Joey Votto defied early expert predictions to become a star
November 29
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The chief reason Joey Votto developed into an MVP type of player is something that neither scouts nor sabermetricians can measure. Scouts can tell Votto had the hand-eye coordination and bat speed to be a great hitter. They can tell he's athletic for a first baseman. They can tell about his foot speed and arm strength. Sabermetric students can point to Votto's impressive numbers his first two years, his outstanding on-base-plus slugging percentage. What neither could measure was that Votto would take the next step and go from very, very good to the best player in the league. If you're around Votto on a daily basis, you can see how Votto was able to do that. He is as driven as a player can"
Votto the MVP by a mile
November 23
The Globe and Mail
 
"The answer was vintage Joey Votto. No sooner had he received the National League's most valuable player award on Monday than discussion focused on the price he would exact from the Cincinnati Reds. Votto is entering salary arbitration for the first time, and there is every reason to expect that while he won't likely break Ryan Howard's record first-year arbitration award of $10-million (all currency U.S.), the $500,000 that Votto earned in 2010 will become a minimum $7-million in 2011. After the Reds made the playoffs for the first time since 1995, getting Votto's name on a multiyear contract is an article of faith with Cincinnati fans. "I've got nothing [for you], man," Votto said of"
Joey is the Man
November 23
Toronto Sun
 columnist Bob Elliott
"Larry Walker always looked at a glass as being overflowing. Especially if the glass had a crest of a Canadian flag on it. So, when Etobicoke's Joey Votto became only the third Canuck to win a Most Valuable Player award, Walker turned to his wife Angela and said: "Honey, we're taking over, another great hope from the great white North just won the MVP, we're taking over the world." Votto received 31 of 32 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America to win the National League MVP honours Monday over two-time defending champ Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. Not bad for a good Canadian boy who needed a "Vote Votto" campaign to make the all-star game,"
Joey Votto wins National League MVP
November 23
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"When Joey Votto was told he had won the National League Most Valuable Player Award, his thoughts turned to his late father, Joseph, and the tears began to fall. "Not to be dramatic or anything, but after I was told I won I couldn't help but cry because I knew how much something like this meant to me and would have meant to my father," Votto said. "It's an individual award, but it's such a great accomplishment. It's the pinnacle of all the awards. It's a great a moment. "I have overcome a lot and I am very proud of myself." Votto missed 31 games in 2009 with depression and anxiety issues stemming from the death of his father in 2008. Votto missed no time with the issue this season. "It was"
Joey Votto wins National League MVP
November 22
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Joey Votto became the 10th Red to win the National League Most Valuable Player Award Monday. Votto is the first winner for the Reds' since Barry Larkin won in the 1995. Votto beat out reigning two-time MVP Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals and Carlos Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies, picking up 31 out of 32 first-place votes for the award. Votto said during a teleconference today, "When I heard, I couldn't help but cry. This meant so much me and would have meant so much to my father." Votto, 27, hit .324 with 37 home runs and 113 RBI. Pujols led the NL in home runs (42) and RBI (118). "It was pretty freaking awesome to have beaten Albert Pujols for the MVP," Votto said. "You can't"
Votto overwhelmingly wins NL MVP
November 22
MLB.com
 
"Often reluctant to discuss his own personal accomplishments, Reds first baseman Joey Votto has done something that will speak volumes for him over the remainder of his career. Votto was named the National League's Most Valuable Player on Monday. In balloting that took place at the end of the regular season by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, Votto received 31 out of a possible 32 first-place votes and 433 points to earn his first MVP trophy. It prevented Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols from winning his third in a row and fourth overall. Although he was the NL Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner at first base, Pujols was second in MVP voting with 279 points, netting one"
Soon they'll be calling Joey Votto "Mr. MVP"
November 18
Toronto Sun
 
"Edgar Caceres managed 22 position players with the Rookie-class Gulf Coast Reds in 2002. The youngest player on the Cincinnati Reds' Sarasota, Fla.-based affiliate was infielder Melvin Soto, age 17. The next youngest was Etobicoke's Joey Votto, 18. "The main thing coaching that level is to get the kids to survive," said Caceres from the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where he teaches baseball. "You try to help kids mature, explain what they need to do, teach our routine and organizational stuff, as well as finding out their weaknesses and strengths." Rookie-class, it has been said, does not truly represent the minors. It's worse. More or less a boot camp ... early morning workouts,"
In MVP voting, Joey Votto's got numbers on his side
November 14
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"It wasn't a real good sign for Joey Votto last week when his chief competitors for the National League Most Valuable Player award - Albert Pujols of St. Louis and Carlos Gonzalez of Colorado - each won both Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. But if I were a betting man I'd put a crisp $50 on Votto winning the MVP. Why? The Baseball Writers' Association of America is doing the voting, and I trust my scribe brethren to get it right. Votto was better than both Pujols and Gonzalez in the all-important on-base-plus-slugging statistic. Votto's OPS was 1.024, Pujols' 1.011 and Gonzalez's .974. Votto's team also made the playoffs. If the coaches and managers, who vote for the Silver Slugger and"