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3 agonizing free agent destinations Joey Votto could choose that would haunt Reds fans
The Cincinnati Reds declined Joey Votto's club-option making him a free agent
Joey Votto is no longer part of the Cincinnati Reds organization. After a 17-year career in the Queen City, Votto bid farewell to the only organization he'd ever known after the Reds declined his club-option for 2024.
Votto is now a free agent and is free to sign with any team he'd like. While not many clubs are assumed to be in the market for a 40-year-old player who has barely hit above the Mendoza line the past two seasons, Votto does has some value.
There's still a chance that Votto could re-sign with the Reds, but president of baseball operations doesn't see a path toward a reunion at this point. If Votto were to sign elsewhere, these three free agent destinations would absolutely crush the hearts of the Reds fanbase.
1. Reds fans would be devastated if Joey Votto signed with the Dodgers
The Cincinnati Reds have a longstanding rivalry with the Los Angeles Dodgers from their time in the National League West. From 1969-1993, the Reds and Dodgers were bitter rivals.
The Reds and Dodgers locked horns on more than one occasion during the 1970s as both teams battled for National League supremacy. That rivalry carried over the 1980s, but once the NL Central was formed in 1994, the rivalry lost much of its meaning.
However, for the older generation of Reds fans, that hostility toward the Dodger blue still exits. While the San Francisco Giants have always been the Los Angeles Dodgers natural rival, there was a period in baseball history when Cincinnati's feud with LA eclipsed that of the team by the bay.
But would Joey Votto turn in the rather quiet comforts of Cincinnati for the bright lights of Hollywood? Furthermore, would the Dodgers even be interested in the future Hall of Famer?
Quite frankly, this seems like a good fit. After revitalizing the career of Jason Heyward last season, Los Angeles could be the perfect destination for Votto to land this offseason.
Joey Votto is not going to displace Freddie Freeman at first base, but with J.D. Martinez entering free agency, that DH spot in the Dodgers lineup is up for grabs at the moment. Of course, LA is likely to pursue Shohei Ohtani to fill that spot this offseason.
2. Reds fans would be crushed if Joey Votto signed with the Cardinals
Few teams get under the skin of Cincinnati Reds fans more than the St. Louis Cardinals. Reds Country certainly took solace in watching the Cardinals fall on their face this past season, but there will obviously be some changes in the Gateway City heading into 2024.
Major League Baseball fans have pointed to the New York Mets and San Diego Padres as the biggest whiffs this past season, but most pundits expected the St. Louis Cardinals to run away with the NL Central.
Instead, the Milwaukee Brewers seized the moment, and teams like the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs also left the Cards in the dust. Even the Pittsbugh Pirates had a better win-loss record than St. Louis in 2023.
The St. Louis Cardinals will be looking to retool their entire roster this offseason. While much of the focus is likely to be on the pitching side of things, don't be surprised to see the Cardinals add a bat or two this offseason as well.
Often regarded as the best fans in baseball, the St. Louis faithful would fully embrace the idea of Joey Votto joining the Cardinals this offseason. With Paul Goldschmidt at first base, Votto's playing time would undoubtedly come as the team's designated hitter.
Votto actually posted better numbers against left-handed pitchers than right-handers in 2023. The Cardinals struggled against lefties with only a .718 OPS, ranking among the bottom-third in the league last season.
3. Reds fans would be heartbroken if Joey Votto signed with the Cubs
As far as the Cincinnti faithful are concerned, there isn't a worse desitination for Joey Votto than the Windy City. While the Reds rivalry with the St. Louis Cardinals defined the 2010s, ever since the Amir Garrett scuffle with Javier Baez, Reds fans have despised the Cubs.
And after watching Chicago steal Craig Counsell away, effectively ripping the hearts out of the Milwaukee Brewers fanbase, don't think for one second that the Cubs wouldn't try to pursue Joey Votto.
Currently, the Cubs are without a first baseman. Cody Bellinger is a free agent, and while Chicago will be in the mix to bring the slugger back through free agency, they won't be the only team pursuing the former NL MVP.
Jeimer Candelario is also a free agent, so there is an opening at first base for the Cubbies this offseason. Is Chicago really going to hand the reins over to Matt Mervis? Adding Votto would bring another left-handed bat to the Cubs lineup as well.
Are there better free agents available for the Chicago Cubs this offseason? Of course. After all his years in a Cincinnati Reds uniform, would Joey Votto even consider donning a Cubs jersey? It seems like a stretch, but don't be shocked if Votto is wearing a blue hat with "C" in 2024.
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