The Reds should take Joey Votto's GM comments very seriously

Cincinnati Reds icon Joey Votto has always been a mercurial individual. It's oftentimes very difficult to decipher whether or not he's speaking honestly or in jest. But his comments during a recent interview on MLB Network has Reds fans buzzing, and with good reason. Could Votto become the Reds' next general manager?

In case you missed it, Votto made an appearance on MLB Network alongside Brian Kenny and was answering random questions from fans. One Reds fan wrote: Why don't you come back as the hitting coach, or just come back in ANY form? We NEED you!!!

Kenny then asked Votto about his future plans, and whether or not he had the desire to coach or manage. The six-time All-Star shook his head, and gave a rather direct response.

"No, I don't," Votto said. "Thank you for the offer, that's very kind. Any time you're wanted, it's an honor, but I get to do this. I get to come here (MLB Network studios) and hang out. I'm just not motivated to hop on a plane and head all over the country. And most importantly, to serve the hitter, you have to spend time in the minor leagues."

Given that Votto spent the last 17 years in and out of hotels and airports, it's easy to see why he wouldn't want to jump right back into that type of lifestyle. But it was Kenny's follow up question that has Reds fans on the edge of their seat. The MLB Network host asked Votto about a front office role, and his answer did not disappoint.

"Yeah, if they want to give me the Reds job, I'll take it," Votto responded. "Just gimme the GM, I'll take it."

Joey Votto's comments should make Reds' exec Nick Krall very nervous

As I stated earlier, Votto can be wildly unpredictable. Was he joking? Was he being serious? Did he just want the online sleuths to start connecting some dots? Maybe he was just taking a jab at Nick Krall and the front office — after all it was the Reds president of baseball operations who decided not to pick up his club-option for the 2024 season. (That was the right decision, by the way.)

Regardless of Votto's intentions, his comments drew a ton of attention — almost all of it positive — on social media. Votto's former teammate Zack Cozart even commented, "Can't wait to be the special assistant to the GM."

There are many layers to the conversation that Votto just started, and it would take tens of thousands of words to peel back every single one. But that's a conversation for another time. The big takeaway, however, is that the Reds' ownership group should take Votto's remarks very seriously. Even if he was joking, the concept of a new direction in the front office — with or without Votto leading the way — is relevant.

The Reds fanbase has lost faith in the team's leadership; specifically Krall and his cronies in the front office. The Cincinnati faithful watched the current front office tear down a winning roster in 2021 only to see the reality of another rebuild on the horizon. And what do they have to show for it? Nothing! Zip! Zero! Nada!

Even with a future Hall of Fame manager like Terry Francona at the helm, this Reds' organization is rudderless. Even with stars like Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, Chase Burns, and Andrew Abbott, this franchise is poised to go nowhere. Even with some of the best fans in baseball — some of whom watched the greatest team of a generation during the 1970s — the apathy is palpable.

It's time for a reset. And I don't mean with another puppet like Krall. This can't be an internal promotion, or else we'll be right back here again in five years. The Reds need a full blown reset from top to bottom.

Whether it's Votto, or someone else leading the way, the Reds ownership group has to wake up and realize that they've failed to bring winning baseball to the city of Cincinnati. Fans have watched the Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Guardians, and Tampa Bay Rays put a consistent winner on the field, so the small-market excuses are over.

This isn't about money, it's about making smart baseball decisions. Krall and Co. have failed to do that, and it's time for a new voice in the Reds front office.

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