Meghann Morhardt is a breaking news reporter at The Messenger, covering all sports. She previously interned for The Philadelphia Inquirer and was Co-Sports Editor for The Villanovan. She graduated from Villanova University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Breaking News Reporter

Meghann Morhardt

The Cincinnati Reds have declined the 2024 club option for first baseman Joey Votto, the team announced on Saturday.

<p>The Cincinnati Reds have declined the 2024 club option for first baseman Joey Votto, the team announced on Saturday. </p>

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/reds/status/1720829510373830712?s=61&amp;t=5QYP7hTSbDjzf4E1aLGM1w
</div></figure>

"At this point in the off-season, based on our current roster and projected plans for 2024, as an organization we cannot commit to the playing time Joey deserves," the team said in its statement.

<p>"At this point in the off-season, based on our current roster and projected plans for 2024, as an organization we cannot commit to the playing time Joey deserves," the team said in its statement. </p>

"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."

<p>"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."</p>

Votto has spent his entire 17-year career in Cincinnati, and was named National League MVP in 2010. He holds an impressive .294 batting average and .920 OPS, and hit 356 homers in his career.

<p>Votto has spent his entire 17-year career in Cincinnati, and was named National League MVP in 2010. He holds an impressive .294 batting average and .920 OPS, and hit 356 homers in his career. </p>

The 40-year-old only appeared in 65 games during the 2023 campaign, hitting a career low .202 with a strikeout rate above 25% for the second straight season, per <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/joey-votto/4314/stats?position=1B">FanGraphs</a>.

<p>The 40-year-old only appeared in 65 games during the 2023 campaign, hitting a career low .202 with a strikeout rate above 25% for the second straight season, per <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/joey-votto/4314/stats?position=1B">FanGraphs</a>. </p>

Votto is now a free agent for the first time in his illustrious career. On Sunday, he expressed gratitude to the organization and fans for the past 17 years in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter).

<p>Votto is now a free agent for the first time in his illustrious career. On Sunday, he expressed gratitude to the organization and fans for the past 17 years in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter). </p>

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/JoeyVotto/status/1721150557186928920?s=20
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">"I'm from Toronto, Canada, and when I came down to the US as an 18-year-old, it was an intimidating experience," Votto said. "I grew comfortable and eventually made it to Cincinnati, and that was another intimidating experience. But it blossomed into the best stretch of my entire life. </figcaption></figure>

<p>"... I'll always be a Cincinnati Red." </p>

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Cincinnati Reds Decline Joey Votto’s 2024 Club Option

Votto only appeared in 65 games during the 2023 campaign