MLB: Four Players Who Deserve Better Than Their Current Teams

Joey Votto

Career Length: 10 years

Playoff Experience: 9 games

Deepest Playoff Run: NLDS

Cincinnati Reds’ Joey Votto signed a 10-year, $225 million contract with the team in 2012. Votto’s contract was/is the most lucrative in Reds’ history, and clearly indicated the team’s intentions to build around their star first baseman. Cincinnati managed to make the playoffs in both 2012 and 2013, however, they have dropped rapidly since, and are now one of the worst teams in the MLB. They have declined to the need of a major rebuild. You’d think a perennial All-Star such as Joey Votto would want out the moment he hears mention of a rebuild. Strangely, that is not the case. In fact, it’s actually the opposite.

Embedded in Votto’s contract was a full no-trade clause. This means Votto has the right to veto any trade he wants. The Reds have periodically tossed Votto’s name around the trade market; however, they are fully aware of his unwillingness to leave Cincinnati. It seems Votto proved his point to the Cincianniti front office, as they have once again deemed him the center of their rebuild. MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon wrote in article in 2015 covering Votto’s no-trade stance. Votto stated at Reds’ 2015 Fan Fest:

"“I don’t think of myself as anything other than a Cincinnati Red. It’s one of the really cool things about having a no-trade clause. I’m one of the rare players who has that. I get to stay a Cincinnati Red.”"

Despite his yearly MVP candidacy, Votto chooses to be most valuable to his Cincinnati Reds, rather than a playoff contender. More power to him. Loyalty can often be a forgotten art in today’s professional sports, that is something Votto is certainly not guilty of. Yes it would be more exciting to see him amidst a playoff battle, but he is set in his ways in Cincinnati. Just remember this the next time you start to feel sympathy for the Reds’ star player.