MLB Player News

Already this offseason, there's a growing sentiment that Fantasy mainstay Joey Votto no longer deserves to go in the first round. I'm hoping to nip it in the bud right here.

In Head-to-Head leagues, it's pretty easy. Walks are worth a point each. As this era's preeminent walker, Votto has so much of a head start on everyone else that he'd need a complete collapse in some other area to fall short of first-round numbers. In his age-30 season, I don't see it happening.

In Rotisserie leagues, it's a little more complicated but still pretty obvious when you account for downside. Everybody likes to dream about how good a player could be, but recognizing how bad he could be is as much a part of player evaluation.

Votto is a lock for a .300 batting average and 25-30 homers (OK, so he finished one short in 2013), and as this era's preeminent walker, he'll always deliver in runs scored. Even if his recent dip in RBI continues, which is no sure thing, you can't be disappointed in the numbers he gives you. They will be elite -- assuming good health, of course.

By comparison, Chris Davis hit .245 in the second half this year, so clearly, he still has flaws. While I think he'll hit .260 with 40-45 home runs in 2014 -- which would likely put him ahead of an RBI-deficient Votto in Rotisserie -- he has a much better chance of disappointing than Votto.

Whiffing in the early rounds means certain failure in Fantasy Baseball, so more than anything with those picks, you want safe. That's exactly what Votto will give you, whether he finishes with 80 RBI or 100.

Marlins infielder Donovan Solano was forced out of Saturday's game against the Tigers after taking pitch off the helmet. Solano left the game in the 10th inning under his own power.

He finished 0 for 4 and was replaced by Placido Polanco. The Marlins will likely take a cautious approach with Solano, especially with one game left this season. Solano batted .249 with three homers and 34 RBI in 361 at-bats.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto walked five times Monday against the Mets.

Votto walked in all of his plate appearances, going 0 for 0 at the plate. He did manage to pick up an RBI. Votto is hitting .308/.438/.499 in 565 at-bats.

The Braves left Freddie Freeman out of Monday's starting lineup against the Brewers, as he was replaced at first base by Joey Terdoslavich. Freeman had started 22 consecutive games going into Monday's contest.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman hit his 23rd home run in Sunday's win over the Cubs.

Freeman finished 3 for 5 with a run scored and a pair of RBI. The 24-year-old is enjoying a breakout season, as his line is up to .314/.392/.500

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt clubbed his 33rd home run Tuesday against the Dodgers.

Goldschmidt struck in the first inning, hitting a two-run blast off Hyun-Jin Ryu. Goldschmidt finished the game 1 for 3, with one run scored and two RBI. He's hitting .301/.403/.548 in 551 at-bats. 

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt hit his 32nd home run in Arizona's win Sunday over Colorado.

Goldschmidt finished 4 for 4 with a run scored and five RBI in one of his best games of an MVP-caliber season. Goldschmidt's line is a lofty .301/.404/.544.

Mets infielder Wilmer Flores returned to action in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Marlins Saturday night.

Flores made an impact as he singled in a run in the opening frame for his only hit of the night. He finished 1 for 4 with an RBI in a 3-1 victory. He is hitting .213/.256/.288 with one home run and 12 RBI in 80 at-bats.

Marlins infielder Donovan Solano was hit by pitches in his first two at-bats Saturday, so he opted to return the favor to the Mets in his third. Solano hit his third home run of the season to help lead the Marlins to a 3-0 win. 

Solano went 1 for 3 with two runs scored, while driving in one. He has an RBI in four straight games, giving him 31 on the season. 

Reds first baseman Joey Votto hit his 23rd home run Saturday during a win at Milwaukee. Votto went deep in the sixth inning for a two-run shot. 

Votto finished 2 for 3 in the game with three RBI as he added a sacrifice fly in the game. He's batting .306 as he also took a walk Saturday. 

The 30-year-old has 69 RBI on the year over 539 at-bats as it certainly hasn't been the best of seasons for Votto. Still, he's hit in six of his last eight games with five multi-hit contests over that span so he's heating up down the stretch.