Canadian 1st baseman, former MVP Joey Votto agrees to camp deal with Blue Jays

Joey Votto has agreed to a non-roster invite with the Toronto Blue Jays, the former National League MVP said on social media.

The Blue Jays confirmed on Saturday that they had come to terms with the 40-year-old on a Minor League contract with an invite to 2024 Major League Spring Training.

The first-baseman from Toronto joins the Blue Jays after a successful 17-year run with the Cincinnati Reds.

"I am excited about the opportunity to work my way back to the Major Leagues," Votto said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "It's even sweeter to attempt this while wearing the uniform of my hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays."

Votto, a fan favourite in Cincinnati, was named NL MVP in 2010 after hitting .324 with 37 home runs, 113 runs batted in and 106 runs scored.

He made six all-star appearances, most recently in 2018.

A career .294 hitter, Votto hit .205 in 2022 and .202 in 2023 before becoming a free agent when Cincinnati declined his $20 million option for 2024.

He didn't play his first game of 2023 until June 19, 10 months to the day after surgery on his left biceps and rotator cuff.

Votto's 2,135 hits are the second-most by a Canadian-born MLB player and just 25 behind Hall of Famer Larry Walker.

Internationally, Votto played for Canada at the 2009 and 2013 editions of the World Baseball Classic.

WATCH | Why Votto could be the most interesting man in baseball:

Why Joey Votto has been called the most interesting man in baseball

2 years ago

Duration 15:17

Just as Joey Votto’s career was flourishing, he was struck with a personal tragedy. Overcome with grief and anxiety, he left baseball only to return better than ever.