Perhaps the greatest baseball player to ever wear a Cincinnati Reds uniform might be headed elsewhere next season.
Barring him being re-signed by the team, the Reds announced on Saturday that they will decline the club option on first baseman Joey Votto to send him into free agency.
Votto has played all of his 17 years in the MLB with Cincinnati since entering the league in 2007, and he has been selected to six MLB All-Star games while playing for the Reds.
He also earned the National League’s MVP honor and Hank Aaron Award in 2010 and a Golden Glove award in 2011.
Now, the 40-year-old veteran will be available to sign with a new team should he choose to continue his career.
The #Reds today declined the 2024 club option on the contract of 1B Joey Votto. pic.twitter.com/ACika5Oum7
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) November 4, 2023
Baseball fans, particularly those with a rooting interest for the Reds, were devastated to see Votto’s time in Cincinnati end like this.
There were also plenty of good vibes sent Votto’s way, from those confirming his clear Hall of Fame credentials to those who wish for him to get a chance at a World Series before retirement with a new team.
I get it from a baseball sense, but Joey Votto deserved a better sendoff than how it played out. He’s a one of one. Sad day for Reds fans is an understatement. https://t.co/4bFUXwX1Fo
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) November 4, 2023
Never has a player deserved more, and received less, from their organization than Joey Votto.
Absolutely disgraceful.
Go win a ring somewhere, 19. https://t.co/mX5Vx4Tp1E
— Nate Dotson (@ncdotson32) November 4, 2023
Most MLB regular season games played in the last 30 years by a guy who only suited up for one franchise the whole time:
2,747 – Derek Jeter, Yankees
2,491 – Chipper Jones, Braves
2,247 – Todd Helton, Rockies
2,224 – Yadier Molina, Cardinals
2,056 – Joey Votto, Reds https://t.co/I26LrC8PlS— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) November 4, 2023
what a pleasure it was to be a gen-z cincinnatian growing up with votto as the star of the city https://t.co/xBObBrbeQh
— allie kaylor (@alliekaylor) November 4, 2023
It’s been such fun to root for Joey and I’m sorry that the Votto era has come to an end.
Votto got to play alongside Griffey, who played with Larkin, who played with Rose, who played with Frank Robinson. https://t.co/4MAtYCDVzh
— Sean Lahman (@seanlahman) November 4, 2023
This is a sad ending to an amazing #Reds career. So much more could have and should have been done to celebrate @JoeyVotto for all that he has done for the team, and more importantly, the community. Thank you Joey, for all that you have given to Cincinnati. We will miss you. https://t.co/rl79KkGHJD
— Steven Offenbaker (@soffenbaker) November 4, 2023
A difficult situation regardless…
Joey provided so many incredible #Reds memories for me, and will forever be my all-time favorite baseball player…
Thank you, JDV. https://t.co/lstCVupfVa
— Bryce Spalding (@bryce_spalding) November 4, 2023
Joey, you've been almost my entire Reds fandom. A shining beacon in the dark most of the time. A true ambassador for the game, the Reds and the city of Cincinnati.
A true legend of the club and the game.
Thanks for everything. https://t.co/wU8Y1Cj7h5
— UK Reds (@UKRedsMLB) November 4, 2023
Mr. Cincinnati. The face of the franchise.
Votto stayed loyal through hell and back for this Reds organization, and this is the kind of send off he gets?
After how many years of being told false promises from F.O. about helping build the club around him during his best years?… https://t.co/EZQYn9HTGl
— Tyler (@WardyNYM) November 4, 2023
Declining the option – good move
Closing the door on bringing him back on a cheap deal – horrible move https://t.co/Qwi7bUWlAb
— J Cantor (@JHCantor34) November 4, 2023
Still hoping they can get a smaller deal done and he can stay.
But if they don’t, he’s the greatest Cincinnati #Red of my lifetime, and I’m gonna miss him.
Cooperstown awaits. https://t.co/tcn0uR811M
— elliot reiring (@etrain513) November 4, 2023
My all-time favorite Red is a free agent https://t.co/sQV7Mo6yyB
— Jeff (@jefffcarr) November 4, 2023
me after starting to read the second paragraph https://t.co/6lyzbBbMyq pic.twitter.com/x9yZhVRbb7
— jules (@notsocooljules) November 4, 2023
Get Joey Votto on a team that could make a run. Please. https://t.co/XPp3VHbK28
— Ryan Reynolds (@ryanreynolds86) November 4, 2023
Based on the specific wording ("At this point in the off-season"),I wouldn't totally preclude Votto returning on a 1-year deal provided he doesn't receive a viable offer from another Club in FA
Very curious to see what market he has in FA
Regardless, hat tip to the future HOFer https://t.co/KAAc0bsrNe
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) November 4, 2023
Had a feeling that would happen. I expected it, doesn’t make it any easier.
I need some time alone right now. https://t.co/PQiXRYeCY7
— Ray ⚾️ (@_WhoDeyRay) November 4, 2023
