“It’s not something I’m OK with. I’d rather quit and leave all the money on the table than play at a poor level,” Votto said before Sunday’s game against the Pirates. “I’m here to play and be part of setting a standard. It’s something I’ve always taken pride in. I love to play at a really high level. So far this year, it’s not been that. I will not be a very satisfied, happy person if I don’t perform at the level that I expect.”
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“I signed up for a high-level of performance. I didn’t sign up for this just to make money,” Votto said. “It’s great and I don’t take it for granted. I appreciate every dime that comes my way. I just care a great deal — desperately. I refuse to accept my peak has past, I refuse to accept that my best days are in the past. I’m not there yet. I just don’t see that, I don’t feel that.”
I'm all for not reading into this stuff, but if you're going to, these comment seem only positive.