Joey Votto, in a heartfelt social media video on Sunday, expressed his gratitude to the Cincinnati community after what appears to be the conclusion of his remarkable 17-year career with the Reds.
The team made a significant decision the previous day by declining his $20 million contract option for 2024, thus marking the first time he will enter free agency in his career.
The Reds’ president of baseball operations, Nick Krall, explained that the decision was primarily based on the desire to provide more playing time to the talented young players on the roster.
Despite this, Votto, at the age of 40, continues to enjoy immense popularity among fans, reflecting on his journey from a young Canadian making the daunting transition to the United States at the age of 18 to ultimately becoming an integral part of the Cincinnati community. He described Cincinnati as the backdrop for the most fulfilling period of his life.
As part of the separation, Joey Votto will receive a $7 million buyout from the Reds, marking the conclusion of a contract that guaranteed him $251.5 million over 12 seasons. This move was not motivated by financial constraints, and there were no discussions about a potential new deal to retain him with the Reds.
Throughout his illustrious career, Votto, a six-time All-Star and the 2010 NL MVP, compiled impressive statistics, including a .294 batting average, 356 home runs, and 1,144 RBIs. Now, as a free agent, he has the opportunity to explore new opportunities with other teams in Major League Baseball.
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