GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price has been with the Reds since 2010, the year Joey Votto was voted Most Valuable Player for the National League. Looking back on those seven years, Price can’t remember Votto ever shirking his commitment to defense.
But Votto can. In the offseason following the 2015 campaign, he needed a break. He didn’t work as hard as he normally does.
It cost him in the field in 2016.
“I didn’t prepare properly,” Votto said. “I had to do a lot of catching up during the season. The unfortunate thing of hitting versus defense is I’m probably a more natural hitter than I am a defensive player.