Reds hoping to lock up Votto: Prince Fielder's nine-year, $214 million deal with the Tigers earlier this week hasn't deterred the Reds from trying to sign 1B Joey Votto to a long-term extension, according to MLB.com. "I think that's a challenge, but we've got a lot of challenges," Reds CEO Bob Castellini said Thursday. "It's certainly something we would want to do." Though reports earlier in the offseason suggested the Reds might be open to trading Votto, whose contract expires after the 2011 season, GM Walt Jocketty has repeatedly shot down those claims. (Updated 01/26/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
This report would seem to confirm that Votto isn't going anywhere this year, as would the Reds' recent decision to trade up-and-coming 1B Yonder Alonso to the Padres. As productive as Votto has been with the Reds over the last two seasons, Fantasy owners would be happy if he just stayed put. He took a step back with the power numbers last year, but he led the NL in on-base percentage for the second straight season and remains an OPS monster. He's clearly one of the five best first baseman in Fantasy and is a candidate to go off the board in the first round of mixed-league drafts. (Updated 01/26/2012).
02/10/2012 13:27 2012 Draft Prep: 12-team, mixed H2H draft
Which picks stood out in our initial 12-team Head-to-Head mock draft for 2012? Check out the results and read what Scott White has to say about some of the more interesting selections.
02/07/2012 09:19 2012 Draft Prep: Head-to-Head strategies
Understanding the subtle differences between Head-to-Head and Rotisserie formats leading up to Draft Day can make all the difference. Our Scott White shares some of his battle-tested draft strategies.
02/02/2012 12:21 2012 Draft Prep: Our 12-team, mixed Rotisserie draft
It's time for owners to start looking ahead to Draft Day. We get you off and running with our 12-team Rotisserie mock draft. Check out the results!
02/01/2012 11:35 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Cincinnati Reds
The Reds rebuilt a significant portion of their roster in the hopes of winning now. Our Al Melchior breaks down Cincinnati's Fantasy options for owners to consider on Draft Day.
Joey Votto was his usual productive self for the Reds last season as he posted 20-plus homers for the fourth straight season and went over the 100-RBI mark for the second year in a row. He got off to a scorching start to the year -- batting .330 with a .513 slugging percentage over the first two months -- and his average did not fall below .300 the entire season. He started to slow down after the All-Star break but still finished with 29 home runs and 103 RBI while playing in a career-high 161 games. While he was not able to match the 37 homers and 113 RBI he posted in 2010, Votto took more walks than he ever had and struck out just four more times in 52 more at-bats. There were some rumors that the Reds would try and move the 28-year-old in the offseason but after the team traded away Yonder Alonso, it appears as though Votto will be the first baseman in Cincinnati for years to come. He has become one of the premiere options in Fantasy over the last two seasons so consider Votto a Top 5 Fantasy 1B on Draft Day. (Updated 1/25/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
