The Reds’ first full-team workout will take place exactly four weeks from today on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Joey Votto will be ready for his first spring training workout in exactly four weeks.



“I’m not ready yet,” Votto said Monday. “I refuse to be ready until the very first workout. These offseasons are getting so much more appealing as I get older.”



Votto’s age has been a topic of discussion after he had by far his worst season in 2019 when he was 35 – he turned 36 in September. Votto hit .261/.357/.411 with 15 home runs and 47 RBI in 142 games last season. It was the only time in the decade that he played a full season and didn’t finish first or second in the National League in on-base percentage. It was, to him, “unacceptable.”



He’s determined not to have that happen again, he said in a phone interview with The Athletic on Monday. Votto was upbeat and looking forward to the Reds’ 2020...