NFBC Message Boards

(Sorry everybody, these stupid Message Boards won't allow me long posts, so this is in two parts...)

I listened to somebody wax on about Joey Votto. I can listen with the best of 'em. I realize that Votto is a great hitter. I do. Really.
I also know that Votto is wonderful when considering on base percentage.
BUT, when some listener calls and asks, "Where should I draft Votto in my upcoming roto league", my listening ears really perked up.
The answer almost literally made me vomit.
"Votto is right up there with Goldy and Freeman".......
Can I get a puking icon?

The fella went on about how last year was an off year for Votto. That Votto would come back with a 'vengeance'.
That Cincy's lineup was better (the only tangible thing said that I could ascertain) and that Votto would go back to his 30-100 ways.
WHAT?!
Votto would go back to his 30-100 ways?
Votto has played 12 years.
TWO of them, 30-100.
30-100 is not his 'ways'!

He is not in Goldy/Freeman territory. He is in Jose Abreu territory.
You know, the part of the draft where you missed out on the real good first basemen and have to start 'settling' .
Cincy's lineup is better.
Maybe that'll help Votto score a few more runs.
As for driving them in, those newer players will be batting BEHIND Votto, not in front of him.

Part two....

My favorite though, was 'Come back with a vengeance'.
Guys with a microphone like to treat players like they're comic book heroes.
They'll say stupid stuff like, "Oh, he knocked Trout down with that pitch, you don't want to make Mike mad!"
(The Incredible Hulk)
Or, " Justin Verlander in invincible today!"
(SuperMan)
Or, "Votto will come back with a vengeance!"
(The Terminator)

Votto will be 36 this year. He is a stone's throw from being called a 'Great Clubhouse Guy'.
Saying that Votto is better than he really is, is for folks with a microphone.
For us, we can't listen to the bullshit.
And believe me, bullshit is everywhere when listening to those with microphones talking about today's players.
The 'Tell it like it is' days are over. Now, it's the 'Tell it like we want it to be' days.
Joey Votto is still the poster boy for Sabrs.
I get that.
They enjoy walks in the park. They enjoy walks on the beach. They just enjoy walks.
At the same time, they despise a player like Joey Gallo.
They call him a true three outcome player.
And they say that as if just stepping in dog poo.
We have to understand that sabrs are like fellas with microphones.
They have their own agenda.
For fantasy, we have to understand that Votto has his purpose (mostly batting average) and Gallo has his (power)
And also for our roto purposes, we have to understand that Gallo beat the snot out of Votto in most categories last year.
In fact, Votto only topped Gallo in batting average.
Votto .284/67/12/67/2
Gallo .206/82/40/92/3
If Votto does come back 'with a vengeance', maybe he can compete with Gallo in counting categories.