Chicago Cubs: Talking Cincinnati Reds as the clubs do battle this weekend

Chicago Cubs: Reliable like clockwork, Joey Votto is ready to win

Can you blame the guy?

He’s likely to lead the league in on-base percentage for the third-straight year and the seventh time in the last nine seasons. A six-time All-Star and former MVP, he’s attempted to put the Reds on his back for what seems like forever. Now approaching his 35th birthday, the clock is ticking if he wants to win a ring.

But, if you ask Koch, the front office is doing what it needs to do to give Votto a chance at a title.

"Other than starting pitching, the Reds have surrounded Votto with players capable of helping the Reds make a run. As for a trade, I don’t know if the Reds or Votto himself are more averse to that idea. Joey’s always come across as a player that understood the rebuild in Cincinnati and wanted to be a part of its success, whenever that may be."

To be honest, I can’t even imagine Votto donning another set of threads. He’s a Red – he’ll retire as a Red and, maybe – just maybe – he’ll have a ring before this is all said and done. As for whether or not he’s a Hall of Famer? That’s another matter entirely.

The Cincinnati slugger will miss at least the first three games of the series as he works back from a lower leg contusion. But he may return before Sunday’s finale – we’ll have to wait and see.