3 possible destinations for Joey Votto if he doesn't return to the Reds in 2024

Joey Votto's time in the Queen City seems to have all but come to a close. Votto was ejected from Sunday's game in St. Louis, in what could have been his swan song with the Cincinnati Reds.

The Reds hold a $20-million club-option for the 2024 season with a $7-million buyout. There's no way Votto's getting $20-million to come back next season, so look for Cincinnati to decline the club-option which would make Votto a free agent this winter.

If Votto wants to play again in 2024, the Reds could always renegotiate a new deal, but that's looking more and more unlikely by the minute. Which other teams could have an interest in bringing Votto into their clubhouse in 2024?

1. Joey Votto could play for the Astros instead of the Reds in 2024

Let's be real, if Joey Votto is going to play again in 2024, he's not just going to go suit up for the Oakland Athletics or Washington Nationals. If Votto returns next season, he should have one goal in mind - to win a World Series Championship.

Is there any franchise that would provide Votto with a better opportunity to do that than the Houston Astros? Currently, Votto's former manager, Dusty Baker, is leading the charge in Houston. However, Baker's contract is up after this season. It remains to be seen if Dusty will return to H-Town in 2024.

Jose Abreu was signed to a three-year contract this past offseason and is currently the Astros' first baseman. Abreu has had a down-year, but it'll be hard for Houston to move off that contract in order to open up a regular spot in the lineup for Votto.

Votto could always act as the Astros' designated hitter, but one of the best sluggers in the game seems destined to stay in that spot, While Yordan Alvarez can play left field, he's much better suited to remain as the Houston Astros DH.

Could Joey Votto fit with the 2024 Houston Astros roster? Absolutely. It's a veteran-led team with postseason aspirations. If Dusty Baker is still managing the Astros in 2024, don't rule out the possibility of Votto re-joining his old skipper in Texas.

2. Joey Votto could play for the Blue Jays instead of the Reds in 2024

Obviously this is the popular choice, right? Joey Votto goes back home to Toronto to finish his career with the Blue Jays. Storybook ending complete, right? Eh, I think it's possible, and definitely somewhere that Votto could end up. But I'm sold on the idea.

The Toronto Blue Jays, like the Houston Astros, have World Series aspirations this postseason. Toronto has been building and building for this moment, but fallen short year after year. The Jays lost in the AL Wild Card Series a year ago and missed the playoffs in 2021 despite winning 91 games.

There's no way that Votto is bumping Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off of first base, so the former NL MVP would have to accept the role of designated hitter. That role is currently occupied by Brandon Belt, but the 35-year-old will be a free agent after this season.

But do the Blue Jays really want to add an aging Votto who barely hit above .200 in 2023 when Belt could be re-signed in the offseason after posting an .858 OPS and launching 19 home runs this past season?

Of course there's a scenario where the prodigal son returns to the Great White North, but it's hard to see a fit between the Toronto Blue Jays and Joey Votto. It almost feels like a step backward for a team who's looking to contend in the uber-competitve AL East.