“I thought I was returning”: Joey Votto, “appreciative” to the Blue Jays and his opportunity to establish himself
The bright new Blue Jays cap on his head and the blue club hoodie he was wearing were the only things that were more startling than turning a corner and finding Joey Votto almost immediately deep into an hours-long exercise following his clearance from the team physical on Saturday.
“I’ve been champing at the bit,” declared the legendary player of the Cincinnati Reds, who arrived here on a minor-league contract in March following four months of “growth” that included at least a few instances of feeling “a little lost.” This was his first and unexpected journey into free agency.
Votto had only ever desired a chance.
The 40-year-old Votto stated that this is “exactly” what he wants—a chance to earn a spot in the major leagues this year and demonstrate his ability to play at a high level once more. or not. That’s the reason he’s here. Regardless of how unusual it may seem to him to don a different uniform for the first time in his career, right?
“Not at all,” he remarked. “This outfit is from a major league team. “Although it wasn’t in my control, I knew where I wanted to end my career.
Joey Votto never imagined he would leave Cincinnati. “It wasn’t in my hands, but I knew where I wanted to finish my career,” he remarked on Saturday after working out in Dunedin, Florida.© Albert Cesare/The Investigator
It is now completely in his hands to continue playing, having spent more than a year recovering and strengthening his surgically repaired shoulder to its greatest playing form since the injury.
“My goal is to succeed as a player.” My goal is to be a player deserving of championships. I wish to belong to the male group. My goal is to blend in. I’d like to support my teammates. Over the weekend, Votto told The Enquirer, “I want to do all these things,” at the Jays facility.
Votto wants to determine whether or not he’s finished.
However, I believe that any major league player would say that their career comes first. It’s not the career of an organization. They do this for a living. When I’m done, I want to choose,” he remarked. “I now have the chance to do that because of this. “I have a relationship with the game, and I will stop playing if it tells me to. Additionally, I receive a similar response if I declare I’m done.
Votto stated he believed the opportunity he was getting with the Blue Jays would come with the only organization he’d played for since being drafted in the second round as a teenager, even if it meant the same “tryout” terms as Toronto’s deal, prior to receiving a call from Reds president Nick Krall announcing the team intended to buy out his 2024 contract option and cut ties.
After last year’s elimination on the penultimate weekend of the season in St. Louis, former Reds teammates who spoke about his “intense” speech claimed they felt Votto was handing the mantle because he realized the writing was on the wall. Without a doubt not, Votto stated. “I thought I was returning,”
This was particularly evident six days prior to the speech at the season’s last home game, when supporters showered him with applause in what appeared to be a parting gesture.
“I was unsure in St. Louis,” he admitted. But in Cincinnati, I was certain that I would return and, in one way or another, end my career as a Red. I was certain if it would be a tryout, a minor contract, or the selection of an option.
He told the players that there was the potential to “change the trajectory of an organization,” as Steph Curry and Klay Thompson had done with the once-ordinary Golden State Warriors, and that there was power in that room that night to drastically turn the franchise’s fortunes. “It wasn’t even me saying farewell. Not at all, stated Votto. “It was my way of accepting that we weren’t able to make it this year. F— that. Next year, let’s really go crazy.
Despite having a lengthy and impressive career full of achievements, Joey Votto stated that he never expected anything given his past performance. “I abhor the notion of receiving any kind of charitable opportunity or at-bats because of your legacy or whatever,” he declared. “I feel ill from it. “The Enquirer/Kareem Elgazzar
Votto didn’t expect to return to Cincinnati because he thought he would receive preferential treatment or more recognition because of his MVP and All-Star records with the team.
Votto is eager to establish his worth in the major leagues.
“I abhor the notion of receiving any kind of charitable opportunity or at-bats because of your legacy or whatever,” he declared. “I feel ill from it.” “This is what I want,” he remarked, referring to his current prove-it deal.
“I know the supporters are knowledgeable. They can tell when someone is rotten. They are able to detect overpayment,” he claimed. “They are aware of player earnings. When a player is past their prime, they can tell. They are aware of the game’s context. “And it appeared that about as many of them wanted him back at forty as those who wished him well elsewhere.
“I realized that I hadn’t been around for a few years. They’re not in my shoes, though,” he remarked. “They’re not on the (physical training) table postgame, trying to work through a swing, and trying to work through a game rehabbing an injury.
“I know from experience that I’m not quite myself,” he remarked. “But all they see is the stats, and all they see is the salary, and rightfully so, they should criticize, be dissatisfied, and move on. And I understand about front offices and coaches. Even teammates have said, “This guy is a sucky.” What goal do we have in mind here?
He claimed that no matter how much work went into the process, he was also sick of not getting the outcomes he desired.”I thought there would be no issue. “Let us simplify things for an organization,” he uttered. “I’ll return, and if the answer is still no and I still want to play, I’ll join a different team. That’s my current focus while I’m in Toronto.
He said, “I’ve told the manager and the general manager that.” “I swear to you, I’ll do everything in my power to be prepared. I’ll perform admirably. If not, that’s sufficient; good bye, and good bye (whistles).
It was more than just a polite call; the Blue Jays had a plan.
Even though Dan Vogelbach and Justin Turner are potential designated hitters, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the team’s everyday first baseman, the Blue Jays appear to be considering adding Votto to their starting lineup.
Following Sunday’s first official workouts with the Jays, Votto stated he’s “fully prepared” to start the season in the minors and keep training if that’s what the team wants. Votto stated he’s done enough throughout the winter to believe he’ll be ready for games. If he is as healthy and prepared as he claimed to be, that doesn’t seem likely. Before he received the largest contract in Reds history, Votto signed free agency, and Toronto supporters had been talking about bringing him home in a trade for years.
Blue Jays All-Star closer Jordan Romano, who was raised not far from Toronto, called him a “legend. “Romano remarked, “It’s really exciting for the fans and the team.” “One of the best Canadians to ever do it, and a hometown guy.”
Pitcher Eric Swanson of the Blue Jays is more aware than most of the value that Joey Votto has brought to Cincinnati and the Reds. Swanson went to Mariemont High School while growing up in Cincinnati. There is undoubtedly a poetic element to it, according to Swanson. That’s even more awesome, though, because I believe he still adds a lot to the field.
Reliever Erik Swanson of the Blue Jays understands not only what Votto meant to Cincinnati but also what he might mean to Toronto if he plays for the team this season. Swanson grew up next door to Thom Brennaman in Terrace Park during his time at Mariemont High.
There is undoubtedly a poetic element to it, according to Swanson. That’s even more awesome, though, because I believe he still adds a lot to the field. He is in excellent physical condition. It’s clear that he arrived prepared. I believe he will position himself to both benefit from our success and benefit from it himself .He will compete if he’s healthy, and I predict he’ll surprise a lot of people.
Upon analyzing the circumstances, “Let’s get to work.”
Votto had to endure a four-month process he was unaware of and get over his own shock at the system before he could find himself in that situation. “It becomes unfamiliar territory for me, so there was a part of me that was afraid,” Votto remarked after receiving the call from Krall and discovering he was no longer a Red. I’ve never been alone as an adult, so it’s scary. I was always tied to an organization, specifically them.
“But quickly, I was like, ‘No, this is good. You need this as a man, as an individual. You need this to grow. And what is the next step you need to take? Are you done?’ I answered that quickly: No. So, what’s the answer? Let’s get to work.” That meant up to eight hours a week of rehab work and 20 hours a week of training.
“I’m grateful I stuck it out,” he said. “I’m proud of the work I’ve put in. And I’m happy with where I’m at. And now I’m excited to find out if I have the skills to be able to continue to play.” Votto could have been able to wait out a guaranteed big-league offer.
“I sensed that they were broaching, but it was getting too late,” he said. “You can see how free agency is moving. There’s lots of really good players that still don’t have jobs. And I’m not one of those guys right now. I was not the starting DH for the All-Star team (J.D. Martinez). I was not the Cy Young winner last year (Blake Snell). So who am I to demand a major-league job when those guys don’t have them?”
It wasn’t exactly the kind of free agent market he or anyone else might have expected for a six-time, lefty-hitting All-Star with Gold Gloves and an MVP, even at 40, even coming off a recent injury. And Votto said he’s not trying to figure it out.
Besides, for him, it was always going to be more personal and transformative than just seeking another contract, no matter where he went. “For so much of my adult life, I’ve known where I was going to be. Everything was guaranteed. I was in control of everything. Everything was familiar,” he said.
Votto had plenty of time for self-assessment
The sudden free agency, he said, was “more about maturity, character, individual growth.” Dealing with more unknowns, less power over what was next. “At times I struggled with it. I felt a little lost. I felt like I wanted things to get solved quicker than they were getting solved. I felt distracted,” he said. “At times I felt stressed.
“But the vast majority of it was growth and learning about myself and things I needed to change.” Things like prioritizing relationships with family, friends and “taking care of myself.” And dealing with career displacement is “something adults deal with all the time.”
It also brought home for him “how much I love being a major league player and also how hard it is to maintain that, and how much I love the effort to perform well, the experience of being a teammate, the experience of making friends, and building forever bonds with people.”
In summary, Votto expressed gratitude for his experience as a free agent. “And I’m appreciative that a team signed me and gave me an opportunity. Above all, I find this team to be very exciting. We were Blue Jays fans growing up,” he remarked. “I have a photo of myself wearing a bib that reads, ‘My little Blue Jay,’ or something similar. I’ll post it on social media at some point.
He lives close to Rogers Centre and has family there as well. “My heart was set on returning and finishing my career in one uniform. There’s no doubt about that,” Votto said. “And when I found out that wasn’t going to be the case, there were a few options for which I’d be willing to accept this sort of deal.”
Votto seems energized as he starts his next chapter, leaving Cincinnati, crossing the border, changing his uniform even his number (now 37). He stated he’s “excited.” And even his loudest critics appear to wish everything goes well for him.
“It is going well,” he remarked. “This is exactly what I wanted. I wanted the opportunity, with the burden off, to be able to prove that I’m healthy again. I’m 40, man. You’re threading a needle, trying to play well in this game at this age. It’s a challenging game. “I’m confident and optimistic,” he continued. “But I do recognize that the odds are against me.