Joey Votto (41), Choo Shin-soo (42)’s on-base machine when he was with the Cincinnati Reds, who announced his retirement at the end of this season, is likely to continue his career in the new season. He broke up with the Cincinnati Reds after 17 years of service, but he is recognized by four teams as a player to the extent that he showed interest in them.
In an interview with The Athletic on the 13th (Korea Standard Time), Votto said, “I will participate in spring training. That’s what I have in mind,” adding, “My body condition has improved over the past two months as I have been doing constant muscle training and physical therapy. I am not worried about finding a new team.”
Earlier, “USA Today Sports” reporter Bob Nightingale said that there are three teams that have expressed interest in Voto. In response, Voto said on his SNS that there are four teams.
Votto, who was out of the season in August 2022 after undergoing surgery to reconstruct his left shoulder rotator cuff and biceps, returned in June last year after rehabilitation, but failed to show his old skills. Last year, he hit .202 (42 hits in 208 at-bats) in 65 games with 14 home runs and 38 RBIs OPS.747. After the season, Cincinnati gave up its club option for $20 million in 2024 salary, and Votto, who wanted at least one more year than retirement, received a $7 million buyout amount and became the first FA in his life.
Born in 1983, Votto has clearly shown signs of decline at the age of over 40, but there are teams that want Votto in the FA market. Votto is recovering and his confidence is growing. “He has suffered major injuries over the past few years, but he can play for any team if he is healthy. He can compete from spring training to six months of the regular season and the playoffs. If he is fit and has good swings, there is nothing to worry about. He has limited positions, but he has strengths as a left-handed person,” he said confidently.
Although the team that showed interest in Votto has not been revealed in detail, the “MLB Trade Lumus (MLBTR)” chose the Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels. Votto, a Canadian national and native of Toronto, is widely expected to head to his hometown team Toronto. Toronto needs reinforcement as left-handed hitter Brandon Belt, who served as first baseman and designated hitter, was released as FA last year.
Since his debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007, Votto has a batting average of .294 with 2135 hits, 356 homers, 1,144 RBIs, 1365 walks and a slugging percentage of .40911 OPS.920. He was a slugger who represented the league as he ranked within the top seven in voting for MVP, including the 2010 National League MVP. Votto, who was also selected six times as an All-Star, is famous for his precision, slugging capability and pioneering ability. He swept the NL on-base percentage seven times between 2010 and 2013 and 2016 and 2018.
Choo is also related to Choo Shin-soo. Choo, who was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2013, became the first player to join Votto in hitting 300 bases. At that time, Votto had 316 on base and Choo had 300 on base constantly, spearheading the Cincinnati Reds’ fall baseball league. Choo played for Cincinnati for just one year and moved to the Texas Rangers as a free agent, but their friendship continued. When Choo played for the Players Weeknd, whose nickname was added to the team’s uniform instead of the player’s name, he showed off his unchanged friendship by playing with “TOKKI 1” and “TOKKI 2.” 월카지노도메인
The nickname comes from the fact that when Votto was playing with Cincinnati in 2013, he complimented Choo, who said, “I can’t catch you like a rabbit no matter how fast I run,” and called each other “rabbit.” Choo, who left the big league in 2020 and came to the KBO League, foreshadowed his retirement season at the SSG this year. It remains to be seen which team Votto, who is one year younger than Choo, will get another chance.