Veteran first baseman Joey Votto entered free agency for the first time in his career this winter. While we grew accustomed to seeing him sport a Cincinnati Reds uniform, he was denied his 2024 option by the club in November.
It doesn’t appear he’s done with his baseball career, however.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, there are three teams interested in Votto.
Veteran free-agent first baseman Joey Votto, the beloved former Cincinnati Reds' six-time All-Star and MVP, has three teams now expressing interest in him.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 11, 2024
While no additional details were given to the teams, or to what extent the interest means, Votto gave a follow-up post on Twitter/X after the report.
“Oh no there already is a Grumpy Bear the don’t need me max pain,” he wrote.
Complete with a GIF of the literal Grumpy Bear from The Care Bears.
Because of course.
https://twitter.com/JoeyVotto/status/1745587560158544148
The beloved Votto spent all 17 seasons of his MLB career with the Reds. Him not returning to the team left the baseball world in shock.
He took to social media speaking personally to fans after the decision was made public.
“I couldn’t have loved an experience more. And I’m so proud to have played for a team, the oldest major league team, to play for a team that was just endless gifts coming my way,” he said. “I’m so humbled. I’m so grateful. And it couldn’t have happened without all of you. Without the Cincinnati community.”
— Joey Votto (@JoeyVotto) November 5, 2023
Votto also described the free agency journey as comparable to, “… that scene from ‘Gravity’ where Sandra Bullock detaches from the Explorer. You’re all alone, no one is answering your calls, and you don’t know if you’ll get back to base. Your only hope is George Clooney saving you.”
Amal’s husband coming to the rescue aside, Votto put up epic numbers across his career.
He totaled 2,135 hits, 1,144 RBI and 356 home runs, slashing a career .294/.409/.511 with a 144 OPS+. And man, did he got on base.
[Bob Nightengale on Twitter/X]
