Player Outlook
Should Joey Votto choose to play in 2024, it will not be in the uniform he has worn since 2007 at the big league level as the Reds rightfully declined their $20M option on him for the 2024 season. It is never easy to watch a fan favorite accelerate into the aging curve, but injuries have done that to Votto since his last productive fantasy season in 2021 when he stunned all of us with 36 homers when we thought the power was gone. 2023 was more of the same as injuries limited him to 65 games and just a handful of memorable moments on the field around below average productivity. Simply put, Votto lacks fantasy viability outside of deep mono league formats wherever he signs as his days as a starting player are clearly over. The easy story is Toronto giving the hometown boy a final year with the club as the club has a vacancy with the departure of Belt in free agency, but even that feel-good story is not going to lead to a notable fantasy value bounce.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
r
Runs
hr
Home Runs
rbi
Runs Batted In
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
sb
Stolen Bases
avg
Batting Average
2024 .000
2023 1572.4 26 14 38 27 .202
2022 196.52.2 31 11 41 44 .205
3y Avg. 264.52.8 43 20 59 49 0 .233
Projections Powered by
Fantasy Performance by Week
4%
Roster
1%
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Fantasy News

  • Blue Jays' Joey Votto: Tweaks ankle in spring debut

    Votto was removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game as a precaution after rolling his right ankle in the dugout, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. Votto clubbed a solo homer on the first pitch he saw from Zack Wheeler before the dugout accident prompted an early exit from his spring debut. It doesn't appear to be a serious issue, so the veteran slugger could be back on the field in the next few days.
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  • Blue Jays' Joey Votto: Making Grapefruit debut Sunday

    Votto will make his Grapefruit League debut for the Blue Jays on Sunday versus the Phillies, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports. Votto has seen some action in minor-league games since signing a non-roster invitee deal with the Jays a week ago, but this will be his first official spring training contest. The plan is for the 40-year-old to begin the season back in the minors in order to get in some reps, but if he looks good he could become an option for the major-league roster sooner rather than later.
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  • Blue Jays' Joey Votto: Joins Toronto as NRI

    Votto signed with the Blue Jays as a non-roster invitee Friday, Buster Olney of ESPN reports. The veteran first baseman was finally able to secure a contract for 2024, and it will come with the Canadian's hometown team. Votto clubbed 14 homers in just 65 games last season but struggled to make consistent contact with a .202 batting average. He seems likely to open the campaign at Triple-A Buffalo given how late he's joining the club, especially since there's no clear path to a place on Toronto's MLB roster with Spencer Horwitz and Daniel Vogelbach already competing for a left-handed DH/pinch-hitting role on the bench.
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  • Joey Votto: Feeling great physically

    Votto feels better physically than he has in years following rehab and strength training since the end of the season, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Votto has been limited to a total of 156 games over the last two seasons due to shoulder issues, slashing just .204/.317/.394 during the time. He ended the 2023 season healthy, though, and it sounds like he's continued the progression this offseason. Votto remains a free agent but is committed to playing in 2024 in what will be his age-40 season.
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  • Joey Votto: Team option declined

    The Reds declined Votto's $20 million club option for 2024 on Saturday. Votto will enter the free agent market for the first time after 17 seasons with the Reds. The 40-year-old veteran previously said he plans to continue playing for "at least one more year," and he should be able to secure a one-year deal elsewhere after slashing .202/.314/.433 in 2023.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: No plans to retire

    Votto said in an interview Friday that he wants to continue his baseball career for "at least one more year," Paul Pabst of The Dan Patrick Show reports. Votto also added that while his preference would be to play for the Reds, if they would like to move on he would consider playing elsewhere. The 40-year-old finished with a .202/.314/.433 batting line with 14 home runs in 2023, as he was limited to just 65 games due to to complications in his recovery from shoulder surgery. The Reds have a $20 million club option or $7 million buyout on Votto for 2024. While they will not be exercising that option, it's possible the two sides could work out a restructured deal if the organization is keen on bringing the six-time All-Star back.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: Ejected from season finale

    Votto was ejected from Sunday's game against the Cardinals for arguing balls and strikes, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. The 40-year-old started at first base and batted third Sunday in the final game of the season, and potentially his final game with the Reds, but he was ejected for arguing after striking out in his only at-bat. It's an unceremonious close to Votto's 17th season, and he finishes the year with 14 homers, 38 RBI and a .203/.315/.435 slash line in 64 contests.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: Not starting Friday

    Votto isn't in the Reds' lineup Friday against the Cardinals. Votto will be on the bench for the second straight game after collecting hits in two of his last three contests. Christian Encarnacion-Strand will get the nod at first base instead and bat fourth.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: Not in Wednesday's lineup

    Votto is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians. It's the first time since Sept. 6 that Votto is not in the starting lineup versus a right-hander. Christian Encarnacion-Strand is covering first base for the Reds, and Jake Fraley will be in the designated-hitter spot.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: Day off Saturday

    Votto will sit Saturday against the Pirates. Votto will sit against lefty Bailey Falter, meaning he's now sat against three of the last four southpaws the Reds have faced. Spencer Steer will start at first base.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: Drives in two

    Votto went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 7-3 win over the Twins. Votto added insurance with a two-run single in the seventh inning that made it a 7-2 game. The two runs knocked in leave him with 37 RBI over 57 games. The 40-year-old is 6-for-22 (.273) with a home run, a double, four RBI and four runs scored over six games since returning from a shoulder injury.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: Sitting versus lefty

    Votto is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets. With lefty David Peterson on the mound for New York, the lefty-hitting Votto will take a seat to begin Friday's contest. Spencer Steer will start at first base.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: Absent from lineup

    Votto is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Tigers. Votto started the first two games back from the injured list, but he'll take a seat in this one. Christian Encarnacion-Strand is at first base and Hunter Renfroe will occupy the designated hitter spot.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: Homers in return to lineup

    Votto went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI in Sunday's win over the Cardinals. Votto gave himself a nice birthday present by extending the Reds' lead with a solo home run to right in the eighth in his first game back since Aug. 23. Votto hasn't hit the ball a ton, evidenced by his .201 batting average, but he's still hitting for power, as he now has 14 home runs in 52 games this season. The 40-year-old should figure to see a near-everyday role at either first base or designated hitter down the final stretch of the year. He's now hitting .201/.302/.471 with 35 RBI, 21 runs and a 20:55 BB:K in 199 plate appearances.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: Activated, starting Sunday

    Votto (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and is starting at first base Sunday versus the Cardinals, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirerreports. Votto made two appearances on his minor-league rehab assignment and will rejoin Cincinnati's lineup after going 2-for-6 with a double and two RBI with Triple-A Louisville. The veteran first baseman should see plenty of playing time down the stretch, though he could receive regular off days in Cincinnati's crowded and talented infield.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: Starts rehab assignment

    Votto (shoulder) went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI for Triple-A Louisville on Friday. Votto began a short rehab assignment with the Bats, which is expected to last one more day before he's activated Sunday.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: Could return Sunday

    Votto (shoulder) could be activated from the injured list as early as Sunday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Votto is set to begin a minor-league stint Friday with Triple-A Louisville, and the Reds apparently don't think he'll need much time to get back up to speed. The 39-year-old has been sidelined since Aug. 24 because of a mild strain in his troublesome left shoulder. He's appeared in only 51 major-league games this season.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: Beginning rehab assignment

    Votto (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Votto began easing back into hitting drills about a week ago and evidently things must have gone well. The Reds have not set a target date for his return to the lineup, as they no doubt want to see how his shoulder responds in game action first. Votto has been on the shelf for the last two weeks with a left shoulder strain, which is the same shoulder he had surgically repaired last year.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: Easing into hitting

    Reds manager David Bell said Sunday that Votto (shoulder) is "going through his strengthening [program]" and "adding more hitting," but the Reds haven't yet pinpointed a target date for his return from the 10-day injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Votto was first eligible to return from the IL on Sunday, but since he hasn't yet resumed full baseball activities, any potential return looks as though it'll be at least another week away. Christian Encarnacion-Strand should continue to serve as the Reds' primary first baseman while Votto remains on the shelf with a strained left shoulder.
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  • Reds' Joey Votto: No baseball activities yet

    Votto (shoulder) remains shut down from baseball activities, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. It was reported last week that Votto should be ready to return from his left shoulder soreness by early September, but clearly that's not happening. Expect the Reds to use Christian Encarnacion-Strand at first base and Jake Fraley at designated hitter against righties until Votto is ready.
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