Reds legend Joey Votto linked to a new gig, but another MLB icon has emerged too

Technically, Joey Votto never suited up for his hometown Toronto Blue Jays in 2024, so fans can still say that the only Major League team he ever played for was the Cincinnati Reds. Votto hung up his cleats in 2024, and has been somewhat of a ghost ever since retiring over a year ago.

But his name has resurfaced lately with rumors that the former Reds All-Star could soon be on a television screen near you. NBC/ Peacock and Netflix recently agreed to broadcast partners with Major League Baseball, and Votto has already attracted a ton of attention from top TV executives.

For years, Reds fans assumed that Votto would eventually fall into a broadcast role. While rehabbing a should injury in 2022, Votto received some time in the broadcast booth alongside Barry Larkin and John Sadak as a guest commentator for a handful of games during the second-half of the season.

Reds legend Joey Votto linked to a new broadcast opportunity, but Clayton Kershaw is in the mix too

But according to Andrew Marchad of The Athletic (subscription required), former Los Angeles Dodgers' great Clayton Kershaw is a top studio target NBC's "Sunday Night Baseball" package. NBC will also be the broadcast home for "Sunday Morning Baseball" and the first round of the MLB Postseason next year. Marchand mentioned that Votto is still drawing plenty of consideration from the networks as well.

In addition to NBC, Netflix is set to broadcast Major League Baseball in 2026. Their presentation, however, is much more limited with Opening Day, the Home Run Derby, and the Field of Dreams Game standing out as the only reach Netflix will have in 2026.

It's beginning to sound more and more as if Votto and/ or Kershaw may take on a studio role for "Sunday Night Baseball" or "Sunday Morning Baseball" rather than working as an analyst in the booth. NBC may prefer to utilize one of the team's local color commentators alongside their national play-by-play voice in the broadcast booth. Marchand cited Jason Benetti (Detroit Tigers) and Kevin Brown (Baltimore Orioles) as two possibilities.

If it comes down to a choice between Votto and Kershaw, the former Dodgers hurler may have the upper hand. Votto faced Kershaw 32 times during their Major League careers. While the Reds' slugger took Kershaw deep on two occasions, the Dodgers' ace struck out Votto 14 times. Reds fans are hoping stats aren't a determining factor.