Reds legend Joey Votto agrees to non-roster invite with Toronto Blue Jays | Report
GOODYEAR, Ariz. –– Former Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto signed a minor league deal with his hometown Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, giving the former MVP Award winner the chance to prove that he can still play in the big leagues.
In November, the Reds declined Votto’s team option for 2024, citing a lack of at-bats available for him this season. As Jonathan India, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeimer Candelario project to factor in for the Reds at first base this year, Votto had to explore other options.
On Friday, Votto found a match with the team he grew up rooting for.
“I’m excited for him,” Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson said. “To see him back with his hometown team will be fun for him. I’m rooting for him. I know that he just wants an opportunity, and I’m happy that he got it.”
“It’s really cool,” said Reds reliever and Cincinnati native Brent Suter. “I’m sure that was up there with his top destinations in the offseason. I wish he signed like a month ago so he had more of a spring to show what he’s got. Everyone knows the player and person he is. Hopefully he does some great things up there.”
Votto, 40 years old, joins a Blue Jays team that already has plenty of options at first base and designated hitter. Three-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is their starting first baseman. The Blue Jays signed two-time All-Star Justin Turner to a $13 million deal this offseason, and the right-hander is primarily a first baseman, third baseman and designated hitter. Last year, Turner, a right-handed batter, posted a .800 OPS. The Blue Jays also have veteran first baseman and former All-Star Daniel Vogelbach, like Votto a left-handed batter, on a minor league deal, and he posted a .742 OPS last year.
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Votto, who had a .747 OPS last year, is confident that he can be more of an impact hitter than he was last year. He had reconstructive shoulder and biceps surgery in 2022, and the injury impacted him all year in 2023. He worked in the offseason to put the injury behind him, setting up the opportunity to compete for a role on his hometown team.
Votto, who went to high school at the Richview Collegiate Institute in the Toronto area, has kept up a close connection with his hometown. During the offseason, he spends time at his old high school and plays basketball with the team.
“The biggest thing about someone’s personality is how they represent where they came from,” Richview athlete Max Zentil said in an interview in 2022. "Votto represents Richview so well. He has done so much for us.”
Votto has always got a big reception when he has played in Toronto, drawing big crowds and significant media attention. He's one of the best Canadian baseball players of all time.
Votto's farewell as a Red will go down as his last at-bat at Great American Ball Park last September. After he reached base, Reds manager David Bell pulled Votto from the game and let the likely future Hall of Famer get a standing ovation.
“I signed (with the Reds) at 18, and I’m 40 now,” Votto said that day. “I just love it. I cannot believe how much I love it. The preparation, the competition, the camaraderie amongst teammates. The introspection. The moments at home by yourself and the shared moments with your teammates. And the fans.”
The Reds are scheduled to play a three-game series at Toronto on August 19, 20 and 21.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Toronto Blue Jays invite Joey Votto to Spring Training | Report
