The Reds announced that they have declined their club options on first baseman Joey Votto and catcher Curt Casali for the 2024 season. Votto will receive a $7MM buyout instead of the $20MM he would’ve received in 2024 salary, while Casali will receive a $750K buyout since the Reds turned down their end of a $4MM mutual option.
President of baseball options Nick Krall released a statement in regards to Votto, in a nod to the longtime star’s status in team history: “For 17 seasons, Joey has been the heart of Reds baseball as a Most Valuable Player, All-Star and respected clubhouse leader. His contributions to our team and his extraordinary generosity toward those in need, throughout our region and beyond, cannot be measured. At this point of the offseason, based on our current roster and projected plans for 2024, as an organization we cannot commit to the playing time Joey deserves. He forever will be part of the Reds’ family, and at the appropriate time we will thank and honor him as one of the greatest baseball players of this or any generation.”
A second-round pick for the Reds in the 2002 draft, Votto has spent his entire pro career in the Cincinnati organization, amassing an outstanding resume that includes six All-Star nods and the 2010 NL MVP Award. Votto’s emergence as a superstar inspired the Reds to sign the first baseman to what is still the largest contract in franchise history — a ten-year, $225MM extension covering the 2014-23 seasons, with that $20MM club option attached for 2024.
As Votto aged and his performance started to dip, it was generally expected that the Reds would buy out the option year, particularly as the team started to cut costs in the wake of the pandemic and entered another mini-rebuild phase. Votto did return to form with an excellent 2021 season, but shoulder problems impacted his performance and kept him off the field for large portions of both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, as Votto has played in only 156 of a possible 324 games over the last two years.
The Reds’ surplus of young and talented position players also left Votto in something of a crunch for playing time. Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand might already have the first base and DH positions spoken for in 2024, and if Steer is used at third base or in the corner outfield, Cincinnati might need that open DH spot to find at-bats for any of Jonathan India, Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte, Tyler Stephenson, TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley, or Will Benson when those players aren’t in the field.
This roster depth was probably as much of an impediment to a Votto return as the $13MM difference in salary. Re-signing Votto to a less-expensive contract might not be in the cards for the Reds given how Krall’s statement seemed to carry an air of finality about Votto’s spectacular tenure with the team. The 40-year-old Votto had floated the idea of retirement in the past, but he stated last month that he wants to play in “at least” the 2024 season and possibly beyond.
Despite Votto’s age, injury history, and modest (95 wRC+) production over the last two seasons, it seems likely that he’ll get that chance to continue his career. Votto has a great reputation as a clubhouse mentor, and several teams in need of DH or first base help could be interested in seeing what the veteran has left to contribute on the field. There has already been speculation in Votto’s hometown of Toronto that the Blue Jays might view Votto as a replacement for another left-handed hitting first baseman/DH in Brandon Belt, who is entering free agency.
Casali signed a one-year deal worth $3.25MM in guaranteed money last winter, as the Reds bolstered their catching ranks beyond Stephenson and Luke Maile. The team’s idea was to give Stephenson a good chunk of time at first base and DH in order to keep him healthy, with Casali and Maile picking up that additional slack behind the plate. The experiment didn’t really pan out, as Stephenson had an underwhelming year at the plate and Casali didn’t play after July 18 due to a foot contusion that wound up ending his season.
Casali (who turns 35 this week) had only a .490 OPS over 96 plate appearances in 2023. A veteran of 10 MLB seasons, Casali will enter free agency looking to catch on another team, though he’ll very likely have to settle for a minor league pact.
It’s a no-brainer. Sometimes a player needs others to let them know when it’s time to call it quits.
rtc
A player always needs to decide for themselves.
What?
He has been awful the last 2 years and I doubt he will sign with another team. I say he should retire. I mean, of course it’s his decision, but I had heard he only wanted to play for the Reds, so this, essentially, could make the decision for him. That’s my point.
Yeah, hopefully he just hangs it up and doesn’t do another year. The fairwell tours when players are past their primes are hard to watch. Miggy and Yadier were miserable in their last years. Hopefully he has enough pride to just be satisfied with fans remembering him for the good years.
Unless he goes the Pujols route and mlb drops him twice early in the season as a hint to juice up for a farewell tour.
Are you joking? I bet you probably aren’t and think anyone who uses juice makes the mlb.
Votto isn’t that kind of guy. But Pujols was 100% on the juice for his farewell tour. Ain’t no way he just found the magic again. MLB was not going to touch him w testing
same type of person that loses at the casino and claims it’s rigged and can’t figure out why they lose every time.
Votto will resign with Reds for $5 million.
Nothing says he can’t come back once he sees what is out there, or not out there.
I’m guessing you didn’t read the article before you posted.
We’ll see what happens if Votto starts talking to other teams. That will put pressure on the Reds to bring him back for less money.
The question is, is he a hall of famer? I think so. His career OBP is .409. Not to mention almost 400 home runs. I say he gets in for sure.
Mmm…he’s a Hall of Very Good candidate right next to Scott Rolen.
When all you do is look at stats, you miss a lot.
It is called Hall of Fame for a reason.
What did I miss? 0 World Championships, 0 pennants, not even the best WAR or NL player in his MVP year of 2010. Led the NL several seasons, in wait for it…walks(?), OBP(?). 2135 hits. Not a HOF resume. So his “leadership” makes him a HOFer? NOT!
Fans are really bad at knowing which current players are HOF. I remember someone on here not thinking beltre was getting in the HOF.
With Harold Baines in the HOF, most everyone is eligible. Not of much importance anymore. yawn.
If you’re very good – then you are famous ! Hence the reason they call it the Hall of Fame
That’s false. The idea has been misconstrued the last twenty years or so. It’s become the hall of very good. Just like schools and teams these days, they are handing out participation trophies. Unless you’re Curt Schilling.
He’ll probably get in but does he deserve it? I think the arguments that he doesn’t are very valid
Idk if you can round 356 HRs to almost 400, but I agree he should get in for sure
He’s a lock for the Hall. Just a question of how many years.
356 HR is still a long way from 400. 30+HR three times, 100+ RBIs three times. 2135 hits at this point, maybe he’ll get in as a veteran, but that’s Hall of Very Good.
Baseball Reference has his similar as Andres Gallaraga, which is a solid comp. All of his numbers other than BB/OBP are sub-Hall for 1B. Joey can console himself by counting his $260M+ in career earnings!
Votto has a 1B JAWS above average for 1B Hall of Famers. His value and accolades are Hall worthy. Just because his game was different than 1B who primarily slugged doesn’t mean he is a sub par candidate
You probably blew the stats boys minds by correctly saying that every first baseman’s game is not about slugging.
@Reds Why do you hate analytics so much beside it ruining baseball for you?
I don’t hate analytics, just those who want to make it the be all, end all. It’s not.
Analytics is a tool, one of many. Not the whole story as many want to make it. There is a lot within the game that is unmeasurable and only the eye test can tell you.
You can pick and choose particular numbers to support anything you want. They have done that on both sides in arbitration since the process began.
Fair enough
You can pick and choose particular numbers to support anything you want.
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If you don’t want to use numbers, then what else is left? “He feels like a HOF”?
@Reds Not sure what your point is? That numbers can be cherry picked to support any position ever? The whole point of JAWS is to look at total value over the career but to also weigh the peak performance because that matters too. For Votto, I think his JAWS number backs up his longevity and how good is peak was. He didn’t get to certain hit/HR counting stats because his walk rate was so tremendous. Add in his MVP and extensive All Star appearances…the guy is also subjectively one of the most interesting and fun players of his generation. Easy hall admit. Only question is how many years he’ll sit on the ballot
No, BRef has The Big Cat as the most similar to Joey Votto thru age 39. Meaning only 1B who played at least to age 39.
The player with highest similarity score to Votto is Freddie Freeman, with Goldschmidt second. I personally think Goldschmidt is the better comp
Player A: .293/.388/.519; 142 wRC+; 340 HR; 1x MVP; 7x All-Star; 4x Gold Glove; 5x Silver Slugger; 61.7 rWAR; 57.4 fWAR
Player B: .294/.409/.511; 145 wRC+; 356 HR; 1x MVP; 6x All-Star; 1x Gold Glove; 0x Silver Slugger; 64.4 rWAR; 58.3 fWAR
Barring a precipitous injury, Freeman should be able to make a solid run at 3000 hits.
Id vote for him. Mad Dog actually also used that lame “Hall of very good” comment about Votto. It’s boomer BS. I understand not being 100% on him, but even that term doesn’t make sense. It’s the Hall of Fame. So technically by that thinking should put Kim Kardashian in because she’s famous?
Anyways I’d vote him in. Great player and a franchise icon.
I’m going to miss the hell out of the guy but I hope this is what he ends up doing, and I hope he crushes it for his homeland.
DockEllisDee, just came here to give you props on your avatar. I use “a printout of Oyster smiling” from that same sketch as my avatar on Steam.
@Turkey LOL we are truly men of high culture. Just as long as you’re not using Nude Tayne
@Dock OH Sh–!!…………
I’m okay.
Excuse me Paul, your wife is on the phone, it’s an emergency
4D3D3D3 ENGAGED
His last two seasons look like any number of old overpaid Yankee players. They’ll likely sign him to a five year deal for $150 million.
I’ve always thought if he wound up with the Yankees, he could grow a narrow profile mustache like De Niro in Godfather II and they could call him “Don Votto”. I’m a really cool guy you can ask me anything
Bob Cheapallini strikes again!
Bob Cheapallini strikes again!
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No need for that comment. This isn’t a welfare system for guys already worth close to $200M.
“…as an organization we cannot commit to the playing time Joey deserves.”
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Translation: as an organization we cannot commit to the paying Joey.
Their statement shut the door on him returning. Sad way for his time either the organization to end.
Did they even do a home farewell weekend for him bc they probably made this decision months ago?
The fans did it on their own basically, anticipating this outcome. The Reds don’t normally treat franchise icons well toward the end of their careers, with the notable exception of Johnny Bench.
Translation: as an organization we cannot commit to the paying Joey.
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Unfortunate perhaps, but there was also no other choice. The Reds cannot afford to spend another $13M to have Votto be the backup 1B/DH.
And Votto has had a cumulative 4.7 bWAR over the past 5 years.
Hope it’s not about money, and really is about the roster spot and reaching an agreement about playing time. The Reds have so little money on the books they could easily afford to overpay Votto just for the good PR alone.
The key will be will they actually invest that money in the pitching they need or will they continue to sit on it like last offseason/season?
No surprise on either. The sad part is it doesn’t look like Po Boy even tried to work things out with their franchise icon based on the goodbye wave.
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out Joe.
Bob Castellini should be ran out of town.
castaweiner suxs
No lotto for Votto
They needed to decline his option. Can’t pay him that much for another year. Not really sure what Krall meant by saying they can’t give him the playing time he deserves though. Votto hasn’t produced well enough to start for a couple years now, let alone stay healthy. Really hope he’s willing to take the bench/mentor role and stay with the team. I’d hate to see him in another uniform.
Krall is basically saying that there isn’t a spot for Votto on the roster.
Yeah I’m aware of that. My point was, Votto doesn’t deserve that much playing time, so it was weird to say that in the statement. He’s not good enough anymore to be a starter.
It’s a p.r. statement for the many disgruntled Cincy Votto fans. I got a co-worker who’s acting like the dude died cuz the Reds ain’t bringing him back.
Lol I’m not sure he’s worth that much. Will probably have to do Nelson Cruz deals if he’s not back with the Reds or retired.
7 mil buyout for a old crappy player=ouch
My Christmas wish Joey replaces Barry Larkin on broadcast team. Or a job at MLB network where his creative side can shine. The Ws broadcast was awful 3 billionaires and a stiff hello Joey to fox?
LOL I’ve lost count of how many times Larkin’s color commentator input on a given subject or play was simply “yeah”
Joey outshined Barry on the telecasts when he was injured. It was obvious.
I’m guessing a
Job with the Reds organization is not high on Joey’s wish list about now. I can see him landing on the MLB Network sometime after his playing career is over.
Probably not, or at least several years down the road like in the cases of Morgan, Larkin. Eric Davis, etc.
Hopefully it’s not the end of a career for one of my all time favorite players Joey Votto! I Still got my Votto Chattanooga Lookouts bobblehead on my work desk!
I hope he signs with the Cardinals and destroys the Reds pitching every time the teams meet.
Or the Brewers, who need a 1B. I think Pittsburgh does as well.
I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them tries.
I could see Votto trolling them until the 11th hour, making them think he’s interested, and then ultimately spurning them along with the obvious Reds and Blue Jays and signing with some seemingly oddball non-contender like the Angels or Colorado because they guarantee him as many ABs as he wants on top of an overpay
Is a modest contract worth in to the Reds for fan ticket purchases and Votto paraphernalia sales? What do Reds fans think?
As a kid I was there when Pete,Tony,even Ray Knight returned and I stood for them either way (takes Two) for a contact I will be in house For Joeys return.
That Bob Castellini is the worst owner in sports.
You should start a Gofundme page for Votto. Feel free to chip in the first million$.
I think the Reds would like to bring him back in a mentor/part time dole but Votto has repeatedly said he wants to play and play as much as possible. If he cannot find an offer including more playing time than the Reds offer he could be back. I honestly believe it’s not about the money in this particular instance. Replace the word deserves with desires from Kralls statement would make it honest and accurate but Krall took the high road.
Votto had a good career – just retire
Agreed
If he decides to retire rather than play next season, does he still get to keep the 7 million buyout?
Yes. Based on the Reds’ decision today, Votto now has the $7M.
He will be paid in the giant human sized coins of the Yap Islanders
Another neat fact: with the buyout, Votto made $260M in his Reds career from 2007-2023,
Castellini paid $270M for the Reds in 2006 (which are now worth $1.2B per Statista.com)!
It’s as much of a baseball decision as it’s a money decision. Reds aren’t gonna pay $20M to a past-his-prime player, even though he was the franchise icon. They’ll have a younger player take his spot, and hope that new guy is even a quarter of the player Votto has been.
He has had a great career. It would be cool to see him sign on with a contender even if he is a bench piece he can maybe get a ring.
Yes I understand that the Reds were in the race most of the year and they have a good young core so they are technically a contender, but we might be a little early on them.
The Reds have already sunk 7mm into Joey. Hope they can work something out that may be incentive laden. His clubhouse presence cannot be measured in dollars especially with all the young talent they have. It’s rare to have a player spend their entire career in one organization. Best of success no matter where he ends up!!!
Inspiring return from injury this year but it’s time to hang it up and start that HOF countdown.
Just another in a long list of decisions by Nick Krall to deliver a competive organization and roster for years to come. More PA for Strand, Steer, India, Ty Steve, etc with this move.
Votto is one of the most overrated players of all time..
This is one of the weakest attempts at trolling I have ever seen.
Yankees for dh will lol that short rf fence
I hate the Reds but I hope he hangs them up as a career Red but I think if he can stay healthy he still has value it just depends on how he feels. He’s made enough money I think it’ll depend on whether he wants to take on a diminished role with declined skills and continue playing. Some guys as good as Votto was don’t want that others wanna play until they got nothing left. Someone will sign him it’ll be up to him
Good move by the Reds. They have a good young core. Use the Votto money for pitching.