What a signing: Blue Jays Sign a star player which is now a treat to the team

The Toronto Blue Jays announced the signing of Joey Votto on Friday, March 7th, 2024. There had been talks of Votto signing with the Jays, but the signing was still a surprise. It had seemed like the Blue Jays were done signing more players, but Votto was still available, and he wanted to play in a Jays uniform. In November, the Cincinnati Reds declined a $20 million option on Votto’s 10-year, $225 million contract signed in 2012. Votto has never played for another team.

Votto talked about how it appeared at the time that major-league deals were available to him. But he agreed to a $2 million, one-year minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. The 40-year-old first-baseman Votto recorded a .202 batting average, 14 home runs, 42 hits, and 38 RBIs with the Reds last season. Votto debuted in 2007, won the National League Most Valuable Player in 2010, and amassed a Hall of Fame resume over 17 seasons with the Reds.

Joey Votto’s Addition Is Positive For The Blue Jays

Just when we thought the Blue Jays were finished signing players, they surprised us by signing Votto, which was a pleasant surprise. Votto was born in Toronto, so fans are excited to have him sign as a Blue Jay. Votto’s best season was when Votto recorded a .326 season batting average. This was Votto’s second-best batting average of his career. But this was behind his 2012 season, where he hit .337. and 29 home runs. This was second only to his 2010 MVP season. Joey Votto played 17 seasons for the Reds. He had a .294 batting average, 2135 hits, 356 home runs, 1144 RBIs, and 1171 runs scored. Votto was an appealing player that was available for the Blue Jays to sign.

Votto led the Reds in batting average, hits, total bases, and RBI compared to his teammates. It will be great for the Blue Jays to get whatever Votto has left in him, as Votto is now 40. The claim can be made that Votto is the best first baseman in Reds MLB history. Fans are proud to have Votto as a Blue Jay. Votto grew up in Toronto and attended games at the Rogers Centre. Votto dreamed of playing in the same uniform as star players like Joe Carter. It will benefit the Blue Jays to have a veteran player—especially one who can draw a crowd at home games this season.

Votto was unsigned weeks into Spring Training. Votto had been making a statement on his social media channels for a team to give him a chance. Fans are content that the Blue Jays took a chance on him. With the Blue Jays, Votto will compete with fellow non-roster invitee Daniel Vogelbach and prospect Spencer Horwitz for a left-handed bench role. But it is hard to imagine the Blue Jays bringing in Votto — a Canadian baseball icon — and not providing a spot for him. People want to see Votto play, and having a Canadian baseball icon on the Blue Jays roster appeals to fans and the MLB.