Joey Votto wants to play 'at least one more year' whether Cincinnati Reds want him or not

Joey Votto told talk show host Dan Patrick on Friday that he wants to play again next year, whether it’s with the Cincinnati Reds or another team.

“I want to play again, at least one more year,” he told Patrick during his latest appearance on the host's eponymous sports talk show. “The last couple years were crummy. I wasn’t healthy for two years. I’d like to play well. It’s not the taste I want to leave in my mouth.”

Votto’s 10-year, $225 million contract with the Reds includes a $20 million club option for next year ($7 million buyout) — a $13 million decision that has been the focus of much speculation and scrutiny in recent months as Votto made his return from shoulder and biceps surgery that sidelined him for 10 months.

If the Reds choose not to pick up the option?

“Then I’ll have a new experience,” he said. “I’ll be a free agent for the first time in my professional baseball career. I don’t know how excited I am about that.”

Votto's agent did not immediately return voice and text messages Friday.

Since returning Sept. 10 after a two-week stretch on the injured list to strengthen his shoulder, Votto had dropped hints that he might want to continue playing next season and at least twice left open the possibility of doing that with another team when asked directly.

But Friday marked the first time he said with clarity that he wants to play in 2024.

Even after Sunday’s final game of the season, Votto — who had been ejected in the second inning for arguing a strike call — said he was not ready to make that decision.

“I just don’t have an answer yet,” he said then.

Whether the Reds exercise the option could be the difference in whether Votto finishes his career with the team that has become his brand as much as he has been its brand for the last 17 seasons.

Votto, 40, has continually expressed loyalty and appreciation for Reds fans — especially over the second half of this season. But on a recent podcast with Reds broadcaster Jim Day, he specifically pointed out the difference between relationships with fans and teammates vs. a player’s relationship with the front office and ownership.

That part is the business side of the game. And even if Votto were willing to, say, agree to stay with the Reds on a steep discount after accepting the buyout, it’s not a deal the players’ union is likely to watch idly without asserting at least some input.

Reds president Nick Krall said over the weekend that no decision on Votto’s option had been made yet, and team officials needed to meet in the coming days and weeks to make that call, suggesting a forthcoming budget might also come into play.

Krall also told the Enquirer he can’t imagine Votto playing for anybody but the Reds if he were to play again after this season.

“Everything factors in with Joey. He is a franchise icon,” Krall said. “You have to factor in everything with where you are to try to figure out what’s the best decision to make at the end of the year.”

Votto, a six-time All-Star and 2010 MVP, hit .202 with 14 homers and a .747 OPS in 65 games this season.

His value going into next year, at 40, seems obviously higher for the Reds than any other team, for his longstanding relationship with the organization and community as well as his impact in the clubhouse with an especially young team — before considering his health and productivity.

The only other team that might find a significant value-added benefit to signing him would seem to be his hometown Toronto Blue Jays, who happen to have a DH/first base opening for a left-handed bat with Brandon Belt’s one-year contract expiring.

Now that Votto has apparently made his intentions clear about playing next year, his future in Cincinnati is up to Reds ownership and Krall, who now face one of the organization’s biggest decisions in decades.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Will Reds bring back Joey Votto now that star says he wants to play?