Joey Votto Open to Moving on From Reds for 2024 MLB Season

Cincinnati must decide whether to exercise a club option on its longtime first baseman for next year.

Joey Votto established himself as the face of the Reds franchise for many years, competing on playoff teams in Cincinnati and through a rebuild. As the 2023 MLB season wound down, many observers wondered whether it would be Votto’s last.

But while appearing on The Dan Patrick Show on Friday morning, Votto explained that he isn’t yet ready to retire and would like to finish his career on a high note.

“I want to play again at least one more year,” Votto said. “The last couple years were crummy. I wasn’t healthy for two years, so I’d like to play well. It’s not the taste I want to leave in my mouth.”

Joey Votto says he wants to play "at least one more year", whether that be with the Reds or another MLB team.

"The last couple years were crumby. I wasn't healthy for 2 years, so I'd like to play well. It's not the taste I want to leave in my mouth."@JoeyVotto #Reds #MLB pic.twitter.com/FCJeFAEj7v

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) October 6, 2023

However, Votto may need to join a new team in order to continue his career. Cincinnati has a $20 million club option on Votto for ’24, the last season of his 10-year, $225 million contract with the Reds, and the first baseman isn’t sure if the team will exercise it.

Votto told Patrick that his preference is to return to Cincinnati next season. But if the Reds decline his contract option, he’s prepared to find a new team, something he’s never had to do.

“If not, then I’ll have a new experience. I’ll be a free agent for the first time in my professional career,” Votto said. “I don’t know how excited I am about that.”

Reds first baseman Joey Votto has spent his entire 17-year career in Cincinnati :: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer/USA Today network

Votto, a former NL MVP, has now spent 17 seasons with the Reds as one of the top first basemen in the league. Yet, the past two seasons have been difficult, as he’s played in just 156 games since 2022.

The 39-year-old can still play, as he totaled 14 home runs and a .747 OPS in 65 games this season. If Cincinnati chooses to move on, Votto should receive interest on the free-agent market.