Are The Brewers Interested in Joey Votto?

[Brock Beauchamp]

In his daily roundup, Bob Nightengale (yes, I know) mentioned the Brewers are a good fit for the 40-year-old former-Reds slugger.

This could be speculation on Nightengale's part - and we all know he's not above firing from the hip on these things - but having specifically mentioned "three teams are interested" in Votto last week, the Brewers are possibly in play.

From a roster fit, Votto simultaneously makes sense and no sense at all, depending what you think of players like Tyler Black: can he stick at third, is he ready for a prolonged chance to hit MLB pitching? The Brewers are lacking in corner offense and should they decide to pass on bringing back Carlos Santana, Votto could be a stop-gap measure at first base and possibly DH.

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[TURBO]

This would be a disappointing turn of events if true...

Give me Santana over Votto but as long as Hoskins is still out there, I will keep dreaming on the 1% chance we get him...

[Underachiever]

Please, no. I believe I am as optimistic as anyone who posts here. Signing Votto would put a "home-run-ball-into-the-Toyota-Tundra" sized-dent in my optimism.

[brewerfan82]

It'd be fun from an entertainment standpoint at least, lol. His projected 95 wRC+ would probably be an upgrade over what we have if we're not throwing Black there right away (Bauers proj. for a 90 wRC+), and it's a jump up from what we did at 1B (81 wRC+) and DH last year (also 81 wRC+).

But there's a lot of better options out there currently, so unless they all fall through and he comes super cheap, prob a better idea to pass.

2-Year Splits for Available Free Agents Listed w/ 1B on FanGraphs (Votto had a big year 3 seasons ago, so I did 2 years so that wouldn't skew his results too much, especially as a 40-year-old who's less likely to return to production from 3+ years ago now):

[Thurston Fluff]

I'd be all for it if it was 2018.

[Matt Breen]

Hah! This is awesome. I said to myself that the Brewers adding Votto would be so up our alley. I'll take him over Jake Bauers.

[IntentionalHBP1]

Votto would be interesting in a brewer uniform but I’m still dreaming for Hoskins and/or Mayo

[Jim French Stepstool]

Is it possible Santana wants more than one year so they're looking at alternatives? I have no interest in Votto, just wondering if there's a scenario where this is actually a legitimate rumor.

Hope not.

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

26 minutes ago, reillymcshane said:

Hah! This is awesome. I said to myself that the Brewers adding Votto would be so up our alley. I'll take him over Jake Bauers.

I mean, if Jake Bauers is the pole to clear, I guess I'd maybe take Votto?

But the Brewers have done *so little* this offseason, they might be able to afford Hoskins. He's my first choice. And if they can't get him, I'd rather have Santana than Votto.

And I say this as a person who adores Joey Votto and thinks he is one of the most fun players of this generation.

[wallus]

If we are serious about winning? No.

[wiguy94]

Brewers should go after Votto in 1 scenario and that's it. If they decide to trade Adames, Williams, and Burnes and basically have 2024 be a 1-year rebuild. Votto can come in as a fan interest tool and vet locker room guy for a young team. If the plan is to win the Brewers shouldn't go near Votto.

[Brewcrew82]

Santana>Votto.

[Playing Catch]

I thought Votto has said he will never leave the Reds. That he would choose retirement. Did I just make that up?

[Matt Breen]

6 minutes ago, Playing Catch said:

I thought Votto has said he will never leave the Reds. That he would choose retirement. Did I just make that up?

Not positive, but I think it was more of he would never leave the Reds if he had the choice. So as long as they want him. That time has come.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Joey Votto is 40 years old, and as most senior players tend to do, has fought injuries the last two seasons while putting up basically below replacement-level numbers. The batting average, and with that his once-coveted OBP, has plummeted. Yes, he's a former MVP and multiple time All Star. But he hasn't been good in a couple years.

If there is one positive, its that his power numbers have managed to stay relatively decent. He's always hit well at Am Fam Field, which tends to boost lefty power hitters. But even with those factors, we aren't likely looking at much upside, unless some kind of crazy career resurgence comes out of nowhere. And that typically doesn't happen with 40-year-old power hitters.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I think Votto will make a fantastic bench coach, hitting coach, and/or manager someday if he wants a lifelong career in baseball....but I don't want him playing 1B for the Brewers in 2024

[sveumrules]

If we’re holding Burnes, Adames, Williams to start the season I’d be fine with him as the 13th position player since they get minimal run anyway.

Assuming a lineup of Contreras, Santana, Turang, Adames, Black, Frelick, Chourio, Mitchell and Yelich at DH, you can cover all eight positions with a bench of Haase, Monasterio, Perkins and still have one spot for a guy like Votto to pinch hit or spell 1B/DH occasionally.

Even a washed Votto should be a big improvement over what we got from guys like Rowdy (78 wRC+), Winker (65 wRC+), Ruf (54 wRC+), Voit (53 wRC+) or Singleton (-8 wRC+) last year.

Probably all moot anyway since I don’t see him signing with anyone but Cincy or Toronto.

[JohnBriggs12]

If they can't get Hoskins, the next best option is Justin Turner.  He's almost as old as Votto but unlike Votto, he still is an above average hitter.

[jerichoholicninja]

Signing a veteran hitter very much on the downside of his career to pretty much be a starter is such a Stearns/Arnold move. Please don't.