Votto joining Blue Jays on minor-league deal

The greatest baseball player to ever hail from Toronto is coming home.

Veteran first baseman Joey Votto agreed to a minor-league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that includes an invite to big-league camp, the club announced Saturday.

If he's in the majors, Votto will earn a $2-million base salary and can earn an additional $2 million through incentives, a source told Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

Votto, who had been vocal about his desire to continue his career over the last few weeks, confirmed the news on X.

Votto chose to sign with the Blue Jays over other contenders interested in his services, a source told Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith.

The 40-year-old told The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans that he expects to begin the season in the minors as he works his way back into game shape.

"I need the time to prepare and resharpen my game," Votto said. "A goal of mine is to be fully prepared the second I return to major-league competition. The major-league level is about execution."

Votto grew up in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke and still lives in the city. He became a free agent for the first time when the Cincinnati Reds - the only team he's played for during his 17-year major-league career - declined his club option in November. He spent the next four-plus months trying to continue his career and chronicled the process, as well as his accompanying frustration, on social media.

"More than anything, I am sitting here jealous. I'll do whatever it takes to get back on a major-league field," Votto told ESPN during an in-game interview Thursday. "I miss it, I miss it so much."

Votto etched his name throughout the Reds' record books during his stellar run with the team. He won the 2010 NL MVP, finished MVP runner-up in 2017, made six All-Star appearances, and led his league in on-base percentage seven times. Votto's 2,135 hits are the most among active big-league players and just 25 behind Hall of Famer Larry Walker for the most ever among Canadian-born players.

However, shoulder issues derailed Votto's career over the last two seasons, limiting him to just 156 games since 2022. He hit just .202/.314/.433 with 14 homers in 65 contests last season.

With the Blue Jays, Votto will compete with first baseman/designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach and veteran infielder Eduardo Escobar for a bench spot. If he makes the team, Votto would presumably back up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base and also get DH starts when Justin Turner is playing third base.