Do you think you can let him know somehow that he needs to adjust with two strikes? Guarantee you he doesn't know that. You may be able to turn around his career.

 

Coming from the guy that complains about managing decisions the entire year....

 

Of course he knows it. I'm not saying he doesn't know it. I'm saying your opinion of taking a strike with two strikes because you don't like the pitch is wrong. Makes zero sense.

If you don't get a pitch you like but is going to be a strike, I've always believed you need to foul it off at all costs

Coming from the guy that complains about managing decisions the entire year....

 

Of course he knows it. I'm not saying he doesn't know it. I'm saying your opinion of taking a strike with two strikes because you don't like the pitch is wrong. Makes zero sense.

 

Let me know where I said that. You are the best at telling me what I said even though I didn't say it.

I haven't seen that stat. If he isn't comfortable swinging at pitches why do you want him to?

 

I know you guys are smart enough to know he doesn't choose not to swing only because he wants to walk. If he's fooled by a pitch or doesn't think he can hit it why swing?

 

Let me know where I said that. You are the best at telling me what I said even though I didn't say it.

 

I wasn't the only one to question these posts. They were all regarding taking a 3rd strike. Not at any point did you acknowledge that taking a 3rd strike is a bad idea. You asked more than once why swing at a pitch he doesn't like. You left it open for everyone to believe that you were okay with him taking a strike with 2 strikes because he didn't like the pitch.

 

I guess you bring up a good point. You didn't say what everyone that's ever watched a baseball game knows, if you watch a 3rd strike you are out.

I don't have the baseball almanac opened on another page, so there's that. But it sure seemed that Joe (for Clyde) Votto seemed to spoil 3rd strikes over and over and over a couple of seasons ago. He just served them into the visitors dugout or nailed an old lady with box seats down the 3rd base line. Then lived another pitch. In 2013 he took marginal pitches and sat down more than I can recall. That's all eyeball, so it's likely not ackerit.

I wasn't the only one to question these posts. They were all regarding taking a 3rd strike. Not at any point did you acknowledge that taking a 3rd strike is a bad idea. You asked more than once why swing at a pitch he doesn't like. You left it open for everyone to believe that you were okay with him taking a strike with 2 strikes because he didn't like the pitch.

 

I guess you bring up a good point. You didn't say what everyone that's ever watched a baseball game knows, if you watch a 3rd strike you are out.

 

So you're admitting I never said he should take 3rd strikes? Thanks.

I don't have the baseball almanac opened on another page, so there's that. But it sure seemed that Joe (for Clyde) Votto seemed to spoil 3rd strikes over and over and over a couple of seasons ago. He just served them into the visitors dugout or nailed an old lady with box seats down the 3rd base line. Then lived another pitch. In 2013 he took marginal pitches and sat down more than I can recall. That's all eyeball, so it's likely not ackerit.

 

I think you're right but I can't find the stat. I'm assuming he doesn't want to strike out looking though. He's widely regarded as the most prepared hitter and someone who studies more than anyone in Reds history. I have a hard time believing he doesn't have a plan. My guess is most of the time he thought it wasnt a strike or he was totally fooled.

 

Lance McCallister tweeted to me that he struck out looking 44 times last year and his previous career high was 29 so you're eyes did not deceive.

I think you're right but I can't find the stat. I'm assuming he doesn't want to strike out looking though. He's widely regarded as the most prepared hitter and someone who studies more than anyone in Reds history. I have a hard time believing he doesn't have a plan. My guess is most of the time he thought it wasnt a strike or he was totally fooled.

 

Lance McCallister tweeted to me that he struck out looking 44 times last year and his previous career high was 29 so you're eyes did not deceive.

I know that a lot of the stuff we talk about makes it seem that JV isn't all that. And MTGL even makes that point often, and I agree that we nitpick, it's the nature of this board. But my only issue is that his approach seems to have changed. How many times did we watch him bury teams in his last AB during his MVP season? Over and over is the correct answer. Now, he leads the league in walks, or is at the top at least. Not that it's a bad thing. I understand where that puts you in the landscape of offensive productivity. I understand how that boosts your numbers in the sabremetric era. However, two seasons ago, many of his walks were because the opposing manager instructed his catcher to step out and take 4 wide ones. Down the stretch, Votto got pitched to and Bruce got walked. Fact.

So you're admitting I never said he should take 3rd strikes? Thanks.

 

You never said he shouldn't either. Man up and give your real opinion instead of living on the fence. Clearly, you are okay with him taking a 3rd strike because "I'd rather not offer him my opinion on his approach to hitting." Bologna. No one is asking you to offer your opinion TO him. We're all wondering why you seem to be the only one not concerned about taking 3rd strikes.

 

Hell, you were pretty much defending it with questions like "If he's fooled by a pitch or doesn't think he can hit it why swing?" Is that a real question from a baseball fan?

I know that a lot of the stuff we talk about makes it seem that JV isn't all that. And MTGL even makes that point often, and I agree that we nitpick, it's the nature of this board. But my only issue is that his approach seems to have changed. How many times did we watch him bury teams in his last AB during his MVP season? Over and over is the correct answer. Now, he leads the league in walks, or is at the top at least. Not that it's a bad thing. I understand where that puts you in the landscape of offensive productivity. I understand how that boosts your numbers in the sabremetric era. However, two seasons ago, many of his walks were because the opposing manager instructed his catcher to step out and take 4 wide ones. Down the stretch, Votto got pitched to and Bruce got walked. Fact.

 

Totally agree. I'm hoping he had a bad few months and he wasn't as healthy as he wanted to be. He seemed to hint that he thinks his knee can improve and so can he. Have to hope that's right or the contract will become really bad.

You never said he shouldn't either. Man up and give your real opinion instead of living on the fence. Clearly, you are okay with him taking a 3rd strike because "I'd rather not offer him my opinion on his approach to hitting." Bologna. No one is asking you to offer your opinion TO him. We're all wondering why you seem to be the only one not concerned about taking 3rd strikes.

 

Hell, you were pretty much defending it with questions like "If he's fooled by a pitch or doesn't think he can hit it why swing?" Is that a real question from a baseball fan?

 

He has constantly given his opinion on hitting in interviews. I'm good with his approach. Would I like him to strike out less? Yes. Do I think he should swing at pitches he doesn't think he should? No

Votto has said that last offseason his focus was on getting his knee right, and not on his normal offseason prep work. He mentioned that now that he's completely healthy he can return to his normal offseason routine and get himself ready. I'm hoping that's what the issue was this past season, and that he'll revert back to the 2010-2012 Votto.

Votto has said that last offseason his focus was on getting his knee right, and not on his normal offseason prep work. He mentioned that now that he's completely healthy he can return to his normal offseason routine and get himself ready. I'm hoping that's what the issue was this past season, and that he'll revert back to the 2010-2012 Votto.

Ditto.

He has constantly given his opinion on hitting in interviews. I'm good with his approach. Would I like him to strike out less? Yes. Do I think he should swing at pitches he doesn't think he should? No

 

Completely and totally agree, with less than 2 strikes.

 

He knows what he's doing. I'm not really questioning him and his approach, unless his approach is to take a 3rd strike because he doesn't like it. I think this season was an anomaly. As UKMF stated, he focused on rehab more than hitting last offseason. Dude takes at least 100 of swings per day. Even if he missed one month of preparation that could be close to 3,000 swings. Probably closer to 2,000 - 2,500.

 

I think he's going to have a huge year. He knows what he can be and what he was. I have total faith in him.

Votto has said that last offseason his focus was on getting his knee right, and not on his normal offseason prep work. He mentioned that now that he's completely healthy he can return to his normal offseason routine and get himself ready. I'm hoping that's what the issue was this past season, and that he'll revert back to the 2010-2012 Votto.

 

I think the knee impact was longer lasting than most people thought. I think it also may be the reason we saw Joey choking up a lot earlier in the count (instead of just with 2 strikes), compared to previous years.

 

Add in the fact that he played in all 162 games (plus the all-star game), I think he had dead legs during the last couple of months.

 

Hopefully with his offseason prep work returning to normal, and maybe with Price giving him a day off once a month or so, he'll return to his MVP form.