Joey Votto has spent his entire professional career with the Reds organization, dating back to his second-round selection in the 2002 MLB draft and his Major League debut in 2007. If he hopes to suit up for an 18th MLB campaign, however, it seems increasingly likely it’ll be with a new team. Cincinnati president of baseball operations Nick Krall all but confirmed as much when asked by season-ticket holders whether Votto would return (link via Mark Sheldon of MLB.com). “We don’t plan to bring him back as of now,” Krall candidly replied.
A crowded Reds infield mix has already pushed jack-of-all-trades Spencer Steer to left field. Cincinnati deepened its wealth of infield talent earlier in the winter, signing third baseman Jeimer Candelario to a three-year, $45MM pact. He joins Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, Jonathan India and Christian Encarnacion-Strand as options around the infield (with Steer on-hand in the event that injuries necessitate a move back onto the dirt). That glut of names already made Votto a long shot to return, but it’s still uncommon for any executive to comment directly on an unsigned player’s fit with his or her club (or in this case, the lack thereof).
Votto, 40, has already stated he hopes to continue his career. The six-time All-Star and former National League MVP spoke with C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic earlier in the offseason and discussed his struggles while playing through a shoulder injury that required surgery in 2022 and continued to cause him trouble in 2023. Votto opened the 2023 season on the injured list, had a productive 41-game stint upon being activated, but was placed back on the injured list in August and wilted upon his return to the roster.
It’s easy to look at Votto’s overall .202/.314/.433 slash and be underwhelmed, but a poor showing post-IL stint severely weighed down his production. Votto went hitless in 18 plate appearances before landing on the injured list, and he batted just .211/.362/.316 in 47 trips to the plate following his return. Overall, his season ended with a .164/.292/.236 swoon in 65 plate appearances.
Any team signing Votto will be hoping for better health. Doing so will require minimal financial risk in all likelihood, and Votto showed as recently as the 2021 season — his age-37 campaign — that he could produce far better than most hitters at this stage of their careers. That season saw him turn in an excellent .266/.375/.563 batting line and club 36 home runs, just one big fly shy of his career-high 37 set back in 2010. A rebound to that level of production at age 40 and with a recent shoulder surgery on his medical record might not be particularly feasible, but landing somewhere in the middle of his ’21 and his ’22-’23 output would still make Votto an above-average performer; when combining that 2021 production and his 2022-23 struggles, Votto still checks in with a .233/.344/.471 batting line (116 wRC+).
It’s been a quiet offseason with regard to Votto. The Blue Jays, as they have been for several years, have been tied to the Toronto native. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported recently that three teams were currently having some level of talks with the career .294/.409/.511 hitter.
There’s indeed a logical fit on the Jays, who saw Brandon Belt become a free agent at season’s end, have a heavily right-handed lineup. Votto could share time at first base with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and see plenty of time as the designated hitter, where the Blue Jays currently don’t have a clear regular option. Other teams known to be on the lookout for help at first base and/or designated hitter include the D-backs, Twins, Padres and Marlins (to name a few). Injuries and/or trades within the Reds’ current infield corps could potentially clear a path back to Great American Ball Park, but for now Krall made clear that such an arrangement isn’t in the cards.
Given the likely low cost of signing Votto, it’s easy enough to speculate on him as a fit with upwards of half the league. Interest figures to be quite a bit more limited than that, given his age and recent struggles, but he represents a relatively low-risk signing who’s still only a couple years removed from a standout showing at the plate.
I hate to see Votto left hanging with no offers.
He’s 40, and he really has nothing left to prove. Still needs a ring, and maybe the Jays would be his best hope for that. Reds still don’t have the rotation of a WS contender.
Neither Votto nor Reds are going to Krall back to the other.
The blue jays being title contenders is equally as laughable
That’s disgusting and disrespectful on the Reds part.
So the Reds are obligated to bring the guy back, no matter what?
@njbirdsfan- Absolutely, they treated this future Hall Of Famer, like a piece of crap! They should be ashamed of themselves. No questions asked.
I’d hardly call $100M plus in career earnings, a future number retirement, a welcome as a spring training instructor, possibly a front office job with a made up title…this is being treated like crap? Sign me up.
Here’s a thought experiment…Yankee HOF’er, last season, you might have heard of him.
.256/.304/.316 .617 OPS. Age 40 season.
You’re bringing that guy back, no matter what? You’re willing to commit a roster spot to that?
He was a good Red and it sounded like he embraced his role of mentorship to the young guys, but he was also paid $23,000,000 to do that and not much else. The Reds did right by him.
So just let him hang around until he’s 48 or hits .153? I’m old enough to remember Willie Mays, Harmon Killebrew, Brooks Robinson and Bob Gibson (among others) who were all absolutely putrid in their final season. One has to know when to say good-bye.
No way you remember GIbson’s last year. THat was like 70 years ago
Saw Willie hit 2 line drive HR’s at Shea Stadium when he was with the visiting Giants. I was 7 years old. He had just turned 39. Thanks to BB Almanac I was able to find the game May 8th, 1970. Both hit off Gary Gentry. Another memory from that game was a huge brawl in the stands near us where I saw some guy with blood all over his face.
It was 1975. And so bad that he quit before the end of the year. They had a day for him on Labor Day and gave him an RV
Liberalsteve must have a math deficiency.
48<70 and 81 million votes is a mistake in math as well.
‘I.M. Insane- Votto is not ready to say goodbye though, the Reds should wait till he is. Votto deserves that much. I’m not as old as you are, but I still wouldn’t disrespect you. You are definitely entitled to your opinion.
Better than the crap teams gave to Cabrera last year.
Oh my – more like 50 years ago. Us oldies were there and can still remember. It was sad seeing Willie Mays misplay balls to the outfield. I think players (and musicians) should play for as long as they like and if someone is willing to pay them. But it can be tough to watch and listen to as well.
The problem is not just Votto not being “ready to say goodbye” it’s also monetary as well as taking playing time away from young players. He wore a Reds uniform for 17 years and spent the majority of the last two on the IL. Baseball is ready to say goodbye to him
No the Reds should not!!! I am a life long reds fan, and would love to see him in the HOF. But the Reds owe Joey nothing and did not treat him poorly. He is an ICON and was treated like one. I believe he may have something left in the tank but Cincy is not the right place now. (Yes that sounded odd but it is true)
I hope we see him in the series with the Jays.
70 years ago was before his first season.
It was less than 50 years ago and I remember Gibson’s last year.
It was 1975 moron. I remember it very well
it was back in the summer of ’83….theres a reason I remember it well.
Gibson’s last season was in 1975. 48 seasons ago.
99, what would be a respectful response?
@gbs42- let Mr. Votto go out on his own terms. He’s a future Hall Of Famer, it’s the least the Reds could do.
let Mr. Votto go out on his own terms.
=========================
What’s that mean in real life $15M per until age 50? If those are his terms?
So votto said he’d sign a minor league deal. How do you feel about the reds not making him an offer now?
I personally don’t think votto would sign a minor league deal w reds due to gluttony of players competing for at bats. Maybe jays take a 3A flyer on him when it’s all said and done or pirates would be fun
I did a brief search and couldn’t find anything about Votto saying he’d sign a minor league deal. I’m not saying he didn’t say it, but I was hoping to find the quote to read exactly what he said.
Even so, the Reds have 3-4 other 1B options, and another few who could DH, that are young and promising. Would a Votto mentorship be helpful? Maybe, but not if he’s playing in Louisville. I think it would be at least as disrespectful to sign him and put him in Triple-A if they have almost no intention of calling him up.
Votto has had a great career with a good shot at the HOF, but every career comes to an end at some point.
I think I read that here and it was a votto post not a reds post and i took it like it wasn’t louisville he was thinking about playing for.
I’ve always liked votto, but if he signs some 3A deal and plays in minors 1/2 the season w hopes to get back to bigs…mad respect ! Live your dream
The Buccos did the right thing with Cutch. Reds need to do the same with Votto. One year deal with some incentives.
Big Whiffa: Votto deserves another shot. Too much about whether he should retire or not just because he’s 40. Votto has the kind of personality where I don’t think he’d say he wanted to play another year if he knew he couldn’t do it. He’s got a lot of confidence in himself
He’s had confidence his bat would come back for the last two years and it mostly hasn’t. If the Reds could’ve gotten rid of his contract they would’ve. They let it play out and let him become a FA.
@99 How is that different than the Yankees and Brett Gardner during his final season? They also declined his option year albeit for far less money. The only thing the Reds could’ve done better was to create for Votto a more ceremonious final homestand last season. Everyone knew the ’24 option was going to get declined well ahead of time.
YBC: If I recall correctly (entirely possible that I don’t), I believe Cashman told Gardy it was his final year and they were going in a different direction the next year.
I’m not saying the Reds didn’t say that to Votto, but perhaps that’s a more respectful(?) way to part ways with him. I don’t know there is much else though. At some point you have to call it a day.
YC, anyone following the Votto situation last year with even a modicum of interest who didn’t realize the odds of him coming back this season were between slim and none had their head buried in the sand.
Yeah, I am admittedly ignorant to the whole situation with him, GBS…. That makes sense though and perhaps they already informed him last season. Some guys just want to go out on their own terms, but it’s not always possible.
@Clip It was presumed that it was only a one-year contract with Gardy and the Yankees structured the second-year options for CBT/AAV purposes which were always going to get declined.
If Votto wants to play on, so be it. I’d like to see him bounce back (a la Pujols) but the Reds don’t owe him anything if they want to develop other younger players.
disgusting? this is business dude. they should keep him around in his 40’s…for as long as he wants?
Disgusting on the Reds part?!? They’ve already paid Votto $7 MM in November to not play for them.
Hilarious….they paid the guy roughly a quarter of a billion dollars over a decade.
It’s “disrespectful” to not bring back a 40 year old first baseman who can’t hit? great career but the Reds have much better options to play first.
Disgusting? What are you talking about? The Reds already signed Candelario to take playing time away from their young studs Marte and Encarnacion-Strand. Why would they also need to bring back a washed-up Votto to clog the roster even more?
So the Reds should offer Votto a minor league contract like the Yankees offered Bernie Williams at the end of his playing days?
Too expensive for the Padres?!
Come on man?!
Never seen a team go in full reverse like the Padres this offseason.
Depressing.
Pathetic, ugh.
Tow I’ve tried to share but it isn’t sinking in – not every guy that isn’t signed by Padres is because they can’t afford him. You post the same thing on every player signed “another one that Padres let get away…”
These players have a say in where they go.
Padres are lining up 3-4 low end options waiting for dominoes to fall.
This isn’t a rotisserie draft.
Relax a little and let it come to you. It’s almost a month before reporting date. Some guys don’t sign (or get acquired) until late in ST even.
Maybe, they want to see what a few kids have before committing $$ to an end of career question mark.
Give it time – complain in May if they only have 20 guys on their roster and no one in LF or 1b or #3 SP.
This I appreciate! If the team is being measured in its approach, I totally applaud that.
Waiting for the right pieces.
Come May and they have made some key acquisitions I’ll gladly change my tune.
I’d love to see Joey sign with the Blue Jays and have an All Star showing!
Maybe then he will make that Cincy president Krall on his hands and knees and beg forgiveness!
I can’t see Votto in any other uniform, but I have no clue where they’d play him if he was brought back.
End of an era..
Could the Reds hire him as some coach? Seems like a better fit than having him block a young kid from playing.
I’m sure they could offer but Votto said he wanted to keep playing
That’s what I’m hoping he ends up doing. Much like he was in the dugout when he was injured. A mentor/coach/hype guy. They certainly could use his level-headedness and veteran expertise.
Krall dumps Votto to spend $45 M on a lifetime .240 hitter in Candelario. One of the worst moves in Red’s history.
I don’t even follow the Reds much, but that take is both absurd and premature.
Yet some “fans” thought it was brillant to give the Candy man big money based on one good year. This has the Moose contract fiasco written all over it.
In the meantime, the top of the rotation starter needed to truly compete was not addressed. That $45M could have been real handy doing that.
@This one
What year was his “one good” one? 2021 when he posted a 121 OPS+ and led the AL in doubles with 42, or 2020 when he had an OPS+ of 137? Or maybe 2023 when he posted an OPS+ of 119 and 2nd most xBH among 3B in NL?
One good one, darn, why did they sign this guy.
Does those pick-and-choose stats include the fact he can’t play defense?
There’s a reason the Cubbies didn’t bring him back. They had the resources to do so.
Why the need to deceive?
MLBTR said in its top 50 FA preview that JC is a roughly average defender at 3B.
Per your nonsense, he’s had only one good year – WRONG
Per your nonsense, he can’t play defense – WRONG
Is that the best you’ve got?
Sawing batter, SaWING
You keep peddling the One good year nonsense. Candelario has had three very good years out of the last four.
Keep flailing. SaWing batter, SaWING
3 good years out of 4 and he is still only a .240 lifetime hitter?
If only there were better measurements of production than BA.
He’s a .243 career hitter, which is about league average. Fortunately for the Reds, they didn’t sign him to be their leadoff hitter. He was signed as a middle of the order bat, as he led the league in doubles a few years ago with 42, followed by another year with 39. And, of course, as you’re well, aware, his career batting average is weighed down by his early years. He’s been a much better hitter since his age 25 season. Imagine that, a hitter doing better in his early prime years.
But keep talking about BA being how we should measure his value. Maybe we should be considering his SBs also. SMH
Amazing, we’ve still got the dumb people using batting average as the one stat that matters here in 2024.
@ThisOne For $45MM, the Reds could’ve possibly signed Lucas Giolito. That kind of money is not getting a front of the rotation starter these days.
It would be a heck of a nice chunk toward paying his salary though.
Take Candaleirio and Nick Martinez’ salary and you could get a darn good pitcher with that.
This is exactly right. I would rather have Votto at $5 or 6 M for a one year farewell tour, than Jemir Candelario at $45m for 3 years.
The Candelario signing has “Bust” written all over it. All the Reds fans who complained that Votto was taking at bats away for the young players are now saying what a brilliant move it was to sign Candelario.
Krall always thinks he is the smartest person in the room when all he is good at is trading well established major league pitchers for prospects. Any GM can sell, the good GMs know how to buy.
It’s not that I think Candelario isn’t any good although I agree he could be a bust. It’s that the Reds didn’t need him at all.
Giving Votto that much for a farewell tour would be a signal that the Reds aren’t serious about contending in 2024.
Plus, he goes from saying there was no room for Votto on the roster after the season due to too many infielders, to going out and signing Candelario, an infielder, for the 15 million a year that should have gone to the ace starting pitcher they needed.
Hell of a look, and a hell of a way to treat a franchise icon.
The Candelario that had an OPS+ of 119 or higher in 3 of last 4 seasons while playing in pitchers parks? Yeah, absurd.
@jbryant0693 OPS+ is park adjusted (as is literally any stat with “+” at the end of it). A 119 OPS+ in a pitchers park is the same as a 119 OPS+ in a hitters park. Don’t cite stats that you don’t even know what they mean.
But at least he’s citing a more meaningful stat, which is way better than those clinging to batting average as the only measure of importance.
I agree OPS+ is more important than batting average but a 119 OPS+ is the same whether you are in Coors Field or Oracle Park.
It depends on what your needs are. The Reds absolutely didn’t need a .240 hitting Infielder/DH. Why is it so hard to understand it was a player The Reds didn’t need. Would you start Candelario over EDLC? Matt McClain? Noveli Marte? Christian-Encamarcion Strand? I wouldn’t be surprised at all if even Jonathon India has a better year than Candelario.
I agree they don’t need him, but career batting average doesn’t mean all that much. And in today’s game 240 is almost average anyway. The past four years have seen league batting averages of 248, 243, 244, and 245.
Bob the Cat — Candelario is not a SS, so no he wouldn’t start over EDLC. He’s not a 2B, so he wouldn’t start over McLain. Which leaves 3 spots for Marte, CES, and Candelario (3B, 1B, & DH). Yes, why is that hard to understand? 3 players for 3 positions. As for India, he plays one position (2B) and not all that well. He’s the odd man out unless McLain (who after 89 games is ranked as a top 10 2B) falters badly. India is not ranked in the top 10.
Candelario is > India and it’s not even close.
Hammerin, thanks for the info on the average BA’s. I gotta find a list that goes back even further though. I am curious now.
Milt Pappas for Frank Robinson.
Trading away Robinson was the worst. Acquiring Griffey Jr. also turned out to be a bit of a fiasco.
yeah just a switch hitting 1B/3B/DH… who plays 140-150 games a year… hits doubles… yeah terrible move…
Continues to be a head-scratcher as this team is loaded with infielders and still needs a top of the rotation starter (or two). Someone like Luis Castillo would have been nice. For almost the price of Candelario and Nick Martinez they could have gotten, say, Sonny Gray. They’ve been paying top dollar to dream on mid-talent free agents, which is a dangerous place to be. I can only guess that Krall is holding his fire to trade for pitching at the deadline.
Don’t count on trading for pitching at the deadline. History shows sitting on hands as a pasttime then.
Way more likely the Reds will be Dealing Montas (if healthy), Pagan, Martinez at the deadline.
Such a horrendous move that all the models align with the contract that was given to him!
Bob, the fact that all you cite is Candelario’s batting average explains why you don’t understand why it was a good move to sign him.
Sorry little stat boy, not all need to look up some made up formulas to determine if a player has value.
Then you don’t need to look up his execrable stats. Besides his “veteran presence” and “mentoring skills”, Votta literally has no value.
I thought he signed with Washington?
Votto, Gallo, kinda same guy.
Confused me for a minute too..
Would have preferred 76-year-old Votto over Gallo for the Nats. Have more confidence in Votto at least hitting .200 — maybe not much higher, but at least .200, and that’s more than I can say for Gallo.
Batting average means very little.
How does batting average mean very little? It tells you the average of how many hits a player had over the amount of at-bats. I.e., it tells you how good a hitter the player is. It is the greatest measurement to determine the success of a hitter. The only counter argument is what if a player has a lowish average but high on-base percentage? In that case and that case only does batting average play second fiddle but I have yet to see such an example. Of course, there are outliers out there. Also, I remember an interview that Votto said that he needs to get better because batting .200 isn’t gonna cut it. Something along those lines. Average matters to Votto. It should matter to every fan.
King BA doesn’t matter because it doesn’t fits Gbs narrative. You can make up any stat you want, but it still doesn’t make Jemir Candelario a player the Reds need.
K123
“It tells you the average of how many hits a player had over the amount of at-bats”
Yes
“it tells you how good a hitter the player is. It is the greatest measurement to determine the success of a hitter.”
“The only counter argument is what if a player has a lowish average but high on-base percentage? In that case and that case only does batting average play second fiddle ”
1) so, you’ve just shown that it’s NOT the greatest mesurent
2) does power matter? Like
Player A: 400 At nats, 100 hits, 35 doubles, 50 HR
Player B: 400 at bats, 100 hits, 20 doubles, 5 HR
Batting average says they are equal
I say Player A was significantly better
What say you?
I say that when all things considered, batting average is still the greatest measurement that determines a hitter’s success. That’s logical and might even be objective. A .300 hitter is successful at recording another hit per ten at-bats versus a .200 hitter. Hits matter. However, I believe on-base percentage is an equally important stat. But does on-base calculate the success of player’s hitting ability or just getting on-base? The latter. Both the ability of the hitter to record a hit and to also to get on base are important. Also, no where in my argument did I say power numbers were irrelevant. I would just rather have prime Joey Votto than prime Kyle Schwarber, Chris Davis, Mark Reynolds, or Rob Deer.
K123
“no where in my argument did I say power numbers were irrelevant.”
Uh, yes, you did.
“The only counter argument is what if a player has a lowish average but high on-base percentage?”
“I would just rather have prime Joey Votto than prime Kyle Schwarber, Chris Davis, Mark Reynolds, or Rob Deer.”
That’s fine. You can like whoever you want
But the ability to avoid getting out and the ability to hit for power are much more important than the ability to get a hit.
King –
Prime Adam Dunn
I didn’t want to disrespect the Big Donkey like that lol.
OK stat boy
Gallo is ten years younger, plays good defense, and hits the ball hard (sometimes). Votto’s ongoing shoulder issues has completely sapped his power.
YankeesBC – I’d take a chance on a 40 year old Votto and his 64.4 career WAR over Gallo and his 15 WAR any day.
Sure, I’d rather have Goldie or Freeman but between those 2 and taking a flier for say 3-5 mil, I’d go with the hope that Votto’s shoulder is better over the hope that Gallo will actually hit 50 hard balls somewhere in 24 while sledding the league in SO.
To each his own though.
@Longtimecoming Gallo has had more WAR than Votto in each of the last 5 seasons.
I’d take a chance on a 40 year old Votto and his 64.4 career WAR over Gallo and his 15 WAR any day.
============================
I’d gladly make a bet that Gallo will have a higher WAR/$$$ than Votto this year, without looking up a single number.
@JoeBrady Are you saying Votto will be below replacement?
Future HOF Pittsburgh Pirate, Joey Votto?
Pirates should sign Votto and complete their 2015 All Star team.
Wild theory here but the Dodgers did it with Puljos, the can do it with Votto.
The difference is that one is 40, and the other was near 45
Does Votto play shortstop?
Joey Votto is just the type of young whippersnapper the Cardinals need in the organization. His energy and spry nature would be like of jolt of electricity to the old timers.
Police recently arrested a very old wipersnapper who was snapping windshield wipers in the Trader Joes parking lot near us.
So your laughter has been deferred on this joke?
Marge Schott has learned nothing over the years.
“Votto, 40, has made already stated he hopes to continue his career.”
Thinking back to last week’s podcast about what teams can and can’t say about their interest in players, this comment from Krall seem pretty close to crossing the line. Maybe the “as of now” part keeps him out of trouble.
Exactly what I was thinking. It’s sad.
He should retire, and with that many years of playing, he may have some knowledge of the game and go into coaching. Instead of just hanging on, bringing down his overall batting average and possible his image with the team.
If he doesn’t come back with the Reds, I agree. Would love for him to be a lifetime Red.
Wouldn’t mind the twins giving him the occasional start at first base. I’m still not sold on kiriloff yet.
Now that’s a good idea. I like Joey staying with the Reds, but Joey for a year on the Twins! I believe that would boost the team and attendance.
Griffey Jr. is still 5th place on the Reds payroll for 2024.the Kid still has it!
The Reds have handled Joey Votto with kid gloves the last couple years, as well as respectfully since not picking up his $20MM option- which is $5MM more than they signed Candelario for to play in 2024. Apparently, Nick Krall was asked during the Reds Caravan about Votto return in 2024. He replied honestly and to the point. Imagine that! Everyone-especially many on this site- know that GM(s) or POBO(s) are not supposed to be honest or direct with fans and ticket holders. Right? Everything else is just meaningless conjecture. I’m glad that Krall took the question seriuosly and told fans what to expect. Whether they purchase (or don’t purchase) tickets and streaming services- they are armed with the truth.
Sentiment hopes for a Reds reunion. That and logic suggest the Blue Jays as his most likely final baseball destination. ⚾️
He dho8ld call it a career. He’s had a great one. Don’t see many players spend their entire career with one team anymore.
A’s should grab him.
He’d look great in a SLC Sister Wives uniform! (Apologies for jumping the gun on the temporary relocation.)
Lol. What would u expect him do ? If there was ever a player who said they weren’t worth the money and tried to give it back – the players union would sue that player
Bringing back Votto for one more year would have made way more sense than signing Candelario.
Wow!! The Cardinals would never!!!
Banana Ball?
I’d be ok with Padres signing him for very low / incentive contract. Last year they gave Cruz $1 mil and Carp 2/15. He seems to fit between them at say 1/3.5 ish plus incentives? He already gets 7 mil from Reds and if you think that is too low for Votto then where are the other offers? Maybe it is, I don’t know.
I’d bet he jumps at a chance to play 1 more year because that seems to be the aging veteran mentality.
The best choices for Votto would be the Padres, Red Sox, Pirates, and Giants. But it would be nice to see him with the Blue Jays too.
We really need to move on in regards to JV.
I don’t really understand the sentiment that the Reds should continue employing Votto until he no longer feels like playing. He’s made his quarter-billion. It is time to give the kids a shot.
He’s not in the final year of a contract, taking a farewell tour on a team going nowhere. He’s a free agent that has played his entire career on a team that’s building for the future and has no place to play him.
They paid him for his services, appreciated what he did, will welcome him into the front office at some point, and be there to likely welcome him into the hall of fame some day.
Nothing owed but gratitude on both sides.
He’s done as a player. The combination of age, injuries, and declining stats make it rather obvious.
Joey Votto for 1 year $5M > Jeimer Candelario 3 Yrs $45M
I’ll bet that Votto will sign with the Pirates on a one year deal and be flipped to the Reds at the trade deadline. It’s a win/win . Pirates get a first baseman and the Reds can save face.
But Joey, what have you done for me lately?
I sure hope they don’t!! I have had enough of that clown!!