Home Baseball DETAIL: Toronto Blue Jays signed 1B Joey Votto to a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training

DETAIL: Toronto Blue Jays signed 1B Joey Votto to a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training

Baseball — 03/10/2024

Reds icon Joey Votto finally returns to MLB with exact team you expected

You knew this was always going happen, right?

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto / Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

The Joey Votto story has finally come to an end after several media appearances during the week. According to Buster Olney, the first baseman signed a non-roster contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was previously with the Cincinnati Reds.

The Reds declined Votto’s $20 million club option in November. Votto was a free agent this summer for the first time in his career.

Votto was nearly pleading with teams to sign him during his appearances on the Flippin’ Bats Podcast and the Dan Patrick Show this past week. It was successful, since he has since signed with his home side and plans to continue his education north of the border.Votto posted a message on his social media pages expressing his joy.

Reds icon Joey Votto finally returns to MLB with exact team you expected

The past two years have not been easy for the former NL MVP. Votto had a new low and barely batted above the Mendoza line in the 2022 season, following a breakout season in 2021 that saw him reclaim his power. Midway through the season, Votto was placed on the injured list and had surgery on his biceps and shoulders.

When Votto did return to the Reds last summer, it was hardly the player that the supporters had anticipated. Votto was out of the lineup most of the campaign and only hit.202 with 14 home runs; older superstars like Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Spencer Steer outperformed him.

Votto is keen to demonstrate that he can still play at his best in spite of his health, and it looks like the Blue Jays will give him that chance. Given the terms of the deal, it’s clear that teams were extremely reluctant to give a 40-year-old first baseman who is nearing the end of his career any guaranteed money.

If Votto is able to earn a roster position, he could be able to extract revenge on his previous team. Later in the summer, the Reds travel to Toronto for a three-game series.