Cincinnati Reds' Longtime Star Joey Votto Doesn't Know Where His Future Will Take Him

The Cincinnati Reds are fighting for a playoff spot in the present, but could the future include longtime star Joey Votto? He isn't thinking much about it right now.

The Cincinnati Reds beat the Minnesota Twins on Monday night 7-3 at Great American Ball Park.

The victory moved the Reds to 79-73 and kept them in a tie for the third and final wild card spot in the National League. They are tied with the division-rival Cubs and are 0.5 games ahead of the Miami Marlins.

Cincinnati is fighting for its first playoff spot since the COVID 2020 year.

While the Reds battle for that playoff spot in the present, there's also talk about the organization's future and whether or not longtime veteran Joey Votto will be included in it.

The 40-year-old has a club option for 2024 at $20 million. It seems hard to imagine that will be picked up. Votto was asked on Monday if he thinks about this being his final homestand in a Reds' uniform:

After @ctrent asked him if he's thought about this being his final homestand in Cincinnati, Joey Votto spoke for nearly two minutes. #Reds pic.twitter.com/mvHtQjNxfS

— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) September 19, 2023

Votto says he tries to stay focused on the task at hand and he's having fun playing meaningful baseball. He also said that he wants to contribute and he's enjoying his great teammates this year, and whatever happens down the road, happens.

There are several options for Votto this offseason including:

1) The Reds surprisingly exercise the $20 million option and he stays in the fold for 2024.

2) The Reds decline the option for 2024 but Votto comes back anyways at a different price.

3) The Reds decline the option and Votto signs elsewhere.

4) Retirement

After battling injury this year, he's hitting .208 this season with 14 homers and 37 RBI. Lifetime, Votto is a .295 hitter. He's led the league in on-base percentage in seven different seasons.

The Reds will play the Twins again on Tuesday night.

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