Reds Joey Votto becomes free agent

Team declines 2024 option

(Courtesy: AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

(CINCINNATI) -- The Cincinnati Reds have declined the 2024 club option for Joey Votto, the team announced Saturday.

This makes Joey Votto a free agent for the first time in his career, and after 17 seasons with the Reds.

GM Nick Krall made the following statement after the team declined the $20M option for Votto:

"For 17 seasons, Joey has been the heart of Reds baseball as a Most Valuable Player, All-Star and respected clubhouse leader.

His contributions to our team and his extraordinary generosity toward those in need, throughout our region and beyond, cannot be measured."

"At this point of 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.

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."