Blue Jays Sign Votto To Minor League Deal

[Brownie19]

Is there's 1 person I'd bet on to have a dead cat bounce at age 40, it's Joey Votto.

[Omar]

Is there's 1 person I'd bet on to have a dead cat bounce at age 40, it's Joey Votto.

 

Yeah, maybe the hometown cooking will get it done. He will put butts in the seats, fans will love the homecoming story until he goes 1 for 30.

[G-Snarls]

Is there's 1 person I'd bet on to have a dead cat bounce at age 40, it's Joey Votto.

 

Pujols did it at 42*

 

*Prob more like 45

[saskjayfan]

Pujols did it at 42*

 

*Prob more like 45

 

People will be quick to dismiss Votto because of his last two years. He played through injury in 2022. He had surgery. He came off that surgery and didn't play last year until the end of June. It take time to find your groove coming off surgery even when you're young. He might be finished, or he might be finally healthy. How much different is a 38 and a 40 year old body? His statcast page looked pretty good in 21. We had a 40 year old Dave Winfield put up a .867 OPS for us in 92. We also won the world series. No harm in having a look.

[PitaBaby]

Not really. His last 5 years ops plus before that final season were: 154, 173, 159, 140 and 141.

 

I think you are misremembering

 

They were called 'flukes'.

[MikeM3]

The only time he seemed to want to play here is when his career is on the line but I still love him and hope he makes the team. f*** vogelbach

[G-Snarls]

 

[bones10]

If votto doesn’t pan out slide Horowitz in, f*** fatty vogelbach.

[Spanky99]

Who in the flying f*** is Eric Treuden and why is he in any of my feeds.

 

JaysJournal, explains it all.

[jaysblue]

Only a minor league deal and hope Votto could work his way on the team as a bench or platoon guy. One of the greatest hitters of this generation, so regardless, so cool to possibly see him play in a Jays uniform.

[jaysblue]

Is there's 1 person I'd bet on to have a dead cat bounce at age 40, it's Joey Votto.

 

I'll buy a Votto jersey if he does. Rooting for him and hope he makes the team. One of the best hitters of this generation. Hope he has another big season or two left in the tank.

[Spanky99]

Only a minor league deal and hope Votto could work his way on the team as a bench or platoon guy. One of the greatest hitters of this generation, so regardless, so cool to possibly see him play in a Jays uniform.

 

No harm in it, and people stressing over nothingburger is silly.

[Carlos Danger]

No harm in it, and people stressing over nothingburger is silly.

 

Did someone say burger?

 

[Spanky99]

Did someone say burger?

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2534[/ATTACH]

 

Yes I did that on purpose, lol.

[Governator]

He must be really afraid of retirement to want to try to grind it in the minors and work his way back up again.

[deanmike]

 

I guess he doesn't expect to make the team out of spring?

[connorp]

Christ, you syrup suckers get votto on a minor league deal and you are still miserable.

 

Did he get banned for calling you guys syrup suckers?

[Stangstag]

 

I guess he doesn't expect to make the team out of spring?

 

Interesting. Good though, he shouldn’t be breaking camp with the team. He’ll likely be first in line if there’s an injury to Vlad/Turner

[Jays24]

He must be really afraid of retirement to want to try to grind it in the minors and work his way back up again.

 

You only get so many years of being able to play so you better take advantage while you can. You can spend the rest of your life sitting around lol.

[Key22]

I was reading that this may have to do with minor league opt-outs - Votto has an opt-out given his last contract, which is some period (maybe a week or two) before spring training. However, this may not apply to Vogelbach. Thus, the Jays may be able to stash Vogelback in the minors as depth while seeing what Votto can do.

 

The team is in dire need of power and I could give a s*** how Vogelback looks - Bringing that guy off the bench as a pinch hitter gives you some sort of hope for a bomb late in a game. The guy is solid insurance for injuries and his 2022 numbers -

 

Vogelbach

2023 = .339 OBP and .404 SLG

2022 = .360 OBP and .433 SLG

 

Turner

 

2023 = .345 OBP and .455 SLG.

2022 = .350 OBP and .438 SLG

 

Pretty similar and for a bat-only DH/Pinch hitter - Vogelbach is quite respectable - can take a walk and can hit doubles/homers.

 

2021 Votto is better than both of these guys and he's definitely worth a shot if the last 2 years were injury-related and not age-related.

 

It's also nice to see Nathan Lukes playing very well here this spring so far. They're going to need all the depth they can get and all the offence they can get. And watching Vogelback charge Cole when Cole drills him will be something.

[WryNGinger]

Did he get banned for calling you guys syrup suckers?

 

Do you not realize how hurtful that statement is to East Coast Canadians? The cultural meaning? I thought that kind of thing was behind us.

 

That's really f***ed up...

[JaysAllMighty]

We had some good players wearing number 19 so lets keep it going:

 

Alen Hanson (2019)

José Bautista (2010-2017)

Marco Scutaro (2008-2009)

Cliff Politte (2002-2003)

Dan Plesac (1997-2002)

Josh Phelps (2000)

David Segui (1999)

Frank Viola (1996)

Paul Molitor (1993-1995)

Domingo Martínez (1992)

Ray Giannelli (1991)

Fred McGriff (1986-1990)

Otto Vélez (1977-1982)

 

Edited March 9, 2024 by JaysAllMighty

[Jonn]

He must be really afraid of retirement to want to try to grind it in the minors and work his way back up again.

 

Athletes spend their entire lives to become athletes. Once its gone its gone. You walk away it’s never coming back. Your new life has started. For people who truly love the game that’s a tough pill to swallow. You don’t want to let it go until you know you can’t do it anymore.

 

Its why some players hang on so long past their prime. Its not about money for them. For a lot of players it is about the money. Joey said today he is willing to begin the Season in AAA. He loves this game more than most.

Edited March 9, 2024 by Jonn

[Brownie19]

How incredible would it be to see Votto have a dead cat bounce season and a real contributor, helping to lead the Jays to the World Series?

 

.260/.360/.500 25 HRs, 130 wRC+

 

I know the probability of that happening is super low, but you have to be romantic about baseball. That would be magical to watch.

[Ryu In My House]

Votto > Vogelbach. I mean, c'mon, Votto has HOF numbers.

 

It's no risk, high reward. I love this signing. It is overdue.

 

I do not think Votto would continue playing unless he knew he has the skill to compete. I want to see him end his career as a Jay. Yes, I like maple syrup. FFS, he bats left. Depending on his ST, I would love to see him get a lot of ABs. Dunno. I remember when the Jays signed Molitor and Winfield in the 1992-93 era. They were similar. Old, almost washed up, but f***ing produced.

[Spanky99]

How incredible would it be to see Votto have a dead cat bounce season and a real contributor, helping to lead the Jays to the World Series?

 

.260/.360/.500 25 HRs, 130 wRC+

 

I know the probability of that happening is super low, but you have to be romantic about baseball. That would be magical to watch.

 

That'd be Pujols 2.0 and would be fantastic.

[rydermike]

So apparently Votto texted Atkins and asked for the minor league deal

[Pendleton]

So apparently Votto texted Atkins and asked for the minor league deal

 

I wonder if Bauer has tried that

[John_Havok]

Votto > Vogelbach. I mean, c'mon, Votto has HOF numbers.

 

It's no risk, high reward. I love this signing. It is overdue.

 

I do not think Votto would continue playing unless he knew he has the skill to compete. I want to see him end his career as a Jay. Yes, I like maple syrup. FFS, he bats left. Depending on his ST, I would love to see him get a lot of ABs. Dunno. I remember when the Jays signed Molitor and Winfield in the 1992-93 era. They were similar. Old, almost washed up, but f***ing produced.

 

Love the passion, but.... Molitor was signed at 36 and had just come off a 140 OPS+ season. He still had a ton in the tank that was easy to see.

 

Winfield is a closer comparison as he was signed for his age 40 season, and had come off his worst season (by his standards) but had still produced a 120 OPS+

 

Neither had missed significant time due to injury in the preceding season, and in Votto's case its two straight seasons missing time. The deck is stacked firmly against him.

 

I hope he turns back the clock too, just for the sake that it would help the Jays win. Would be a cool story too

[John_Havok]

I was reading that this may have to do with minor league opt-outs - Votto has an opt-out given his last contract, which is some period (maybe a week or two) before spring training. However, this may not apply to Vogelbach. Thus, the Jays may be able to stash Vogelback in the minors as depth while seeing what Votto can do.

 

The team is in dire need of power and I could give a s*** how Vogelback looks - Bringing that guy off the bench as a pinch hitter gives you some sort of hope for a bomb late in a game. The guy is solid insurance for injuries and his 2022 numbers -

 

Vogelbach

2023 = .339 OBP and .404 SLG

2022 = .360 OBP and .433 SLG

 

Turner

 

2023 = .345 OBP and .455 SLG.

2022 = .350 OBP and .438 SLG

 

Pretty similar and for a bat-only DH/Pinch hitter - Vogelbach is quite respectable - can take a walk and can hit doubles/homers.

 

2021 Votto is better than both of these guys and he's definitely worth a shot if the last 2 years were injury-related and not age-related.

 

It's also nice to see Nathan Lukes playing very well here this spring so far. They're going to need all the depth they can get and all the offence they can get. And watching Vogelback charge Cole when Cole drills him will be something.

 

Regarding the opt-outs, there are 3 and they are mandatory for any minor league free agent signing for MLB veterans that have at least 6 full years of service time AND ended the previous season on a roster or injury list. AS long as they sign the minor league deal before there are 10 days left before opening day they can opt if they haven’t been added to the 40-man roster: five days before Opening Day, May 1 and June 1

 

Votto obviously falls into that category, Escobar would too. Vogelbach doesnt have 6 years of service time after last season, but 5 years 138 days.