Call to the pen
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Joey Votto has had enough with Cincinnati Reds

By David Hill

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) walks back to the dugout after striking out in the eighth inning of the MLB baseball game between Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. San Diego Padres defeated Cincinnati Reds 9-6.San Diego Padres At Cincinnati Reds 131
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) walks back to the dugout after striking out in the eighth inning of the MLB baseball game between Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. San Diego Padres defeated Cincinnati Reds 9-6.San Diego Padres At Cincinnati Reds 131 /
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Joey Votto deserves much better than this.

The Cincinnati Reds‘ first baseman has been a loyal soldier, sticking with the franchise throughout his entire career. He had signed a long term extension nearly a decade ago, all but ensuring that he would retire with the only franchise he had ever known. Although he may have been able to get more money in free agency, Votto stayed with the Reds, hoping to bring a championship back to Cincinnati.

Joey Votto has seen enough from Cincinnati Reds

But loyalty goes only so far. Votto knows that the end of his career is coming up, and he does not want to spend those final days languishing on a team without hope for a postseason berth. He has been more vocal about his frustrations lately, including his referring to the Reds’ 3-16 start as “awful” and “embarrassing.”

Votto does have a point in a historical context. The 1899 Cleveland Spiders, often referred to as the worst team in MLB history, began that infamous season at 3-16. Chances are, even if ownership gets rid of everyone aside from Votto and brings 25 fans down to fill out the roster, they will still manage more than the 20 victories the Spiders had that year.

At the same time, Votto has not done much to change the Reds’ fortunes this year. He has produced a disappointing .129/.299/.145 batting line in his 77 plate appearances, with a double as his lone extra base knock. While he does have 12 walks, Votto has also struck out 23 times as well this season, his struggles in the batter’s box helping to contribute to the Reds’ woeful start.

It is easy to see why Votto would be frustrated however. Only two regulars in the lineup have an OPS+ over 100. The Reds rank dead last in the National League in on base percentage and slugging, while their .197 batting average is 14th in the NL. At the same time, the Reds 5.83 ERA is dead last in the NL. The Reds cannot pitch and they cannot hit. As such, they cannot win.

dark. Next. Reds fans send message to ownership

Joey Votto is frustrated with the Cincinnati Reds’ performance thus far in 2022. Based on the early returns, it may not get much better.

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