Reds icon Joey Votto finally returns to MLB with exact team you expected

After multiple media stops throughout the week, the Joey Votto saga has finally come to a close. Buster Olney is reporting that the former Cincinnati Reds first baseman agreed to a non-roster deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.

In November, the Reds chose not to pick up Votto's $20 million club-option. This offseason, for the first time in his career, Votto was a free agent.

Votto made the rounds on the Flippin' Bats Podcast and the Dan Patrick Show over the past week and was practically begging teams to sign him. It worked, as he now signed with his hometown team and will look to further his legeacy north of the border. Votto expressed his excitement with a post on his social media page.

Reds icon Joey Votto finally returns to MLB with exact team you expected

It's been a difficult two-year stretch for the former NL MVP. After a resurgent season in 2021 saw Votto regain his power, the 2022 season saw the six-time All-Star hit a new low and barely bat above the Mendoza line. Votto ended up on the injured list midway through the season and underwent shoulder and biceps surgery.

Votto eventually made a return to the Reds roster last summer, but was hardly the player fans had hoped to see. Votto hit just .202 with 14 home runs and was out of the lineup more times than not with player like Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand outperforming the aging superstar.

I am excited about the opportunity to work my way back to the Major Leagues. It’s even sweeter to attempt this while wearing the uniform of my hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays. https://t.co/s7xEFLKe8V
— Joey Votto (@JoeyVotto) March 8, 2024

Votto is eager to prove that a healthy version of himself is able to still perform at the highest level, and it appears that the Blue Jays will offer Votto that opportunity. It's quite obvious, given the nature of the contract, that teams were incredibly hesitant to hand over any amount of guaranteed money to a 40-year-old first baseman who's on the downside of his career.

Votto may have the opportunity to exact revenge against his former team if he's able to secure a roster spot. The Reds head to Toronto for a three-game series later this summer.

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