What's the ideal Cincinnati Reds lineup with the likely addition of the universal DH?

4. Joey Votto, Reds first baseman

Votto still bangs! Wow! What a 2021 season it was for the Cincinnati Reds first baseman, huh? Joey Votto looked rejuvenated and we saw an improved approach at the dish as well. The rumors of Votto's demise were greatly exaggerated, but will the six-time All-Star be able to duplicate his performace in 2022?

That will certainly be the question on the minds of Reds Country as we get closer to Opening Day. Votto received MVP consideration last season for the first time since the 2017 when he should have walked away with is second trophy.

Joey Votto sacrificed his once-patient approach for a most aggressive technique. While Votto's on-base percentage dropped a touch, his slugging percentage skyrocketed and Votto put on a performance during the second-half of the 2021 season that we hadn't seen from him in years.

Votto had a stretch of seven consectuive games with a home run in late-July and was a couple feet away from a record-setting eight straight games with a round-tripper. During that stretch, Votto hit .385/.485/1.423. My goodness, that was impressive.

Votto yo-yo'd between hitting third and fourth in the Cincinnati Reds lineup, but it seemed as though David Bell was perfectly fine with the veteran batting in the cleanup spot. I expect the same will be true when the 2022 season begins.