Joey Votto is no longer a Cincinnati Red. Even two weeks later, it feels weird to type.
In an era where there are seemingly two to three farewell tours every year, Votto unceremoniously had to his option was refused by the only major organization he ever played for.
Reds general manager Nick Krall may think Votto is just a “Hall of Very Good” player, turning down the option of a Midwestern ballplayer from his ivory tower, but he should be ashamed of himself.
I realize Votto isn’t a surefire Hall of Famer like Miguel Cabrera or Albert Pujols, but he deserved better than a press release. He is one of the best players in franchise history and certainly the best Reds of the 21st century. Freddie Freeman had to cry and take a few turns just because he changed teams in free agency.
And it’s not the end of Votto’s career, at least he has given no indication that he will retire – but this is in all likelihood the end of his illustrious career with the Reds. He finished his tenure sixth in games played, fifth in hits, second in OPS, second in doubles, second in home runs, first in OBP and first in walks for one of the most former baseball franchises.
Krall says the reason he declined the option is because they don’t project enough playing time for Votto. First of all, we don’t keep Votto because he’s going to play a lot. You do it for the vibrations. And because, to a certain extent, at 40, he still has it. His 14 home runs in just 65 games illustrate this well.
Many other players in the locker room would love to display the stats Votto achieved last season. Cabrera only totaled 65 home runs (and one All-Star game appearance even if he wasn’t retiring) over the last seven years of his career, but you better believe the Tigers were going to make everything it took to get him on the field. team so that the opposing manager of each stadium visited can present him with a Ferrari made from stuffed bald eagles.
And again, I realize that these are not the same circumstances. Cabrera is the most decorated player and the Reds, unlike the Tigers, have a future. They just completed the fastest rebuild in recent memory, going from a 3-22 start in 2022 to a playoff contender and one of the most exciting teams in the league midway through 2023.
The Reds are loaded with talented young players and if they can find a way to hold their opponents under 10 points per game, they will be a problem for a while. But that’s all the more reason why Votto should stay on the team. He made the playoffs four times in his career and deserved another one with the same team.
Shame on Nick Krall and the entire Cincinnati organization. That’s not how you treat someone who has given as much to your franchise as Joey Votto.