Veteran slugger Joey Votto is very sad that spring training is underway, and he’s still a free agent.
How sad is Votto? Sad enough to post a strange video on social media showing him sitting in his car, going through a car wash, with a sad-looking face.
Votto finally breaks several seconds of uncomfortable silence by saying, “This is not spring training.”
Fox Sports’ MLB X account spoke for many fans by responding, “Somebody please sign Joey Votto … this is heartbreaking,” with a broken heart emoji.
Many fans pointed out that Votto appears to be wearing a St. Louis Cardinals hat in the video. Should we make something of that fact?
This is definitely a new experience for the 40-year-old veteran. The six-time All-Star and former MVP has played his entire 17-year career for the Cincinnati Reds.
He knew free agency would be a tough experience, posting a tweet in December comparing his situation to a scene from the 2013 movie Gravity.
Unfortunately for Votto, Clooney is not a GM with any MLB club. A few teams have expressed some interest in the first baseman/DH. Despite being on the wrong side of 40, Votto still swung a league-average bat last season (14 home runs in 202 at-bats, 99 OPS+).
So some team could benefit from Votto’s services. Signing him would also prevent any more of these sad videos.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.