MLB Insider Updates Free Agent Market For Longtime Cincinnati Reds Slugger Joey Votto

According to a report from USA Today's Bob Nightengale, there are three teams currently expressing interest in veteran free agent first baseman Joey Votto.

Three teams are expressing interest in longtime Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, according to a report from USA Today's Bob Nightengale on Thursday.

Votto is a free agent for the first time in his career, as the Reds allowed the 40-year-old slugger walk last fall. The team released a statement when they declined his $20 million club option, claiming that they couldn't commit to giving Votto the playing time he deserved.

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

Over the course of this 17 seasons in Cincinnati, Votto hit .294 with 356 home runs, 1,144 RBI, 2,135 hits, a .920 OPS and a 64.4 WAR. He made six All-Star appearances, won one Gold Glove and won NL MVP in 2010.

Votto was banged up the past few years, though, and he didn't make his 2023 debut until June. He finished the season batting a career-worst .202 with 14 home runs, 38 RBI and a .747 OPS.

While Nightengale did not report which teams are showing interest in Votto, many have speculated that the Toronto Blue Jays would take a serious look at adding him. Votto was born and raised in Canada, and he is arguably the best Canadian player in MLB history.

Votto has made over $260 million in salary since breaking into the majors in 2007. He is fresh off making $25 million in each of the last six seasons, in addition to a $7 million buyout the Reds had to give him when declining his option.

Even at 40 years old, roughly 70% of Votto's appearances this past season came at first base, rather than designated hitter. It remains to be seen if teams on the open market still value his defense, but he is at least still capable of eating up innings in the field.

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