Big news out of Spring Training today. Longtime Cincinnati Reds’ star Joey Votto has agreed to a non-roster invitation deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. What makes this a big story is that one of the greatest players born in Canada has a chance to (potentially) finish his career in his hometown of Toronto. Given his decline in production and injuries over the last two years, it seems like the odds are against him. However, with the Oscars looming over us, how great of a script would it be for Votto, at age 40 to break camp with the Blue Jays?
With Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. entrenched, we wouldn’t see Votto playing his customary position of first base. He may get a start or two per month there but his at-bats would primarily have to come as a designated hitter. There is some competition in that spot with Daniel Vogelbach and Spencer Horwitz also in Jays’ camp. Toronto is a team with playoff aspirations so I do not believe this signing of Votto is a way to generate goodwill with the fanbase. If he doesn’t make it out of Spring Training, so be it. They want to see if the six-time All Star has more ball in him and how he could help the team. Him making the roster would be an added bonus that maybe would generate additional fan interest.
When I’m at lunch with friends, one of the topics brought up this question: is Joey Votto a Hall of Famer? That .409 career on-base percentage is certainly his biggest asset, with his biggest seasonal number a staggering .474 in 2012. He led the league in that category six times. Votto was the National League MVP in 2010 and finished in the Top 10 four other times. He had good power, hitting over 30 home runs three times and finishing with 29 on three other occasions. The only negative about his career would be a .244 batting average in limited playoff action. If that is the argument for keeping him out of Cooperstown, we will see him enshrined five years after his retirement.
Here’s hoping Canada’s great baseball hero has one last run in Toronto. May his next milestone come in a blue uniform, similar to his last one in a red one. Raise a Labatt Blue to Joey Votto coming home to Toronto!
Threeunassisted 