Williams: Sad to see Joey Votto leave Cincinnati Reds, but don't lose sight of the plan

The Cincinnati Reds told us nearly two years ago they finally had a plan to try to win championships, trading away veterans and stockpiling some of baseball’s top prospects.

They continued to show they’re bent on sticking to the plan on Saturday morning, when the Reds announced they’re not bringing back Joey Votto.

Be pissed. Be disappointed. Be sad. But don’t lose sight of the plan, Reds fan. Remember, it’s something you demanded of the Reds for years. And they took a big step with all those young players this past season, just missing the playoffs after losing 100 games last year.

They’re hoping to take another big step in 2024.

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Sorry to say, but paying a 40-year-old, injury-plagued Votto $20 million to be a pinch-hitter, clubhouse mentor and fan-friendly community face next season would’ve veered from the plan. And for anyone claiming the Reds are being cheap, general manager Nick Krall said this wasn’t a cost-cutting decision and he has money to spend this offseason.

God bless, Joey Votto. The Reds and Votto had a wonderful marriage for 17 seasons. He’s one of the all-time greatest players and personalities in club history. But he batted .204 with a .317 on-base percentage the last two seasons. It’s probably time for Votto to retire, but he has every right to try to go play another year somewhere else. The Reds wish him well.

It’s a business, in case you needed a reminder. And the Reds finally seem serious about the No. 1 goal of the business – winning.

Look forward. Focus on the future. Letting Votto go is merely one of many moves the Reds have made with the goal of winning the World Series for the first time since 1990.

This is another step toward going all in on the young players. And young players need to play every day. That can be difficult to understand amid the emotions of losing an all-time great. If the Reds had gone all in on the youth movement several years ago like they should have, perhaps Votto would have a World Series ring and Saturday’s news wouldn’t sting as much.

Nonetheless, the Reds’ 82-win season emboldened them to keep looking ahead. The club saw enough from Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand to make the Reds believe one of them will turn out to be their everyday first baseman. There is no room for Votto to be the designated hitter, either. The Reds like to rotate the DH position, and Votto would take away at-bats from young players.

It’s the logical decision. Time will tell if it’s the right decision, though it's probably not a stretch to think it is given Votto's age and declining production.

If Votto goes to his hometown Toronto Blue Jays and somehow bounces back and the Reds’ new first baseman subsequently struggles, well, good for Joey. No one truly knows if the Reds’ young players are going to take the next step in 2024 and make the playoffs. Look to the Cleveland Guardians the past few seasons as a cautionary tale for how young players can take steps forward and backward.

But the Reds have faith in their plan. They strongly believe in Steer, CES, Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte, TJ Friedl, Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, Andrew Abbott and others. It’s why they didn’t make a move at the trade deadline. It’s why they’re willing to take the short-term, public-relations hit by letting Votto walk away.

I’m not dismissing Reds’ fans feelings in the moment. It’s going to be hard not seeing No. 19 at first base.

You may feel a little miffed about how the Reds announced the decision, in a Saturday morning news dump in the middle of a football weekend. Typically, when organizations want to brush news under the rug, they release it on Friday evening or Saturday.

You may feel a little hurt the Reds didn’t announce any plan to honor Votto.

All are legitimate feelings.

But look beyond the moment. Take heart in the fact the Reds love Votto. He loves the Reds. You love Votto. He loves you. That’ll never change.

Now then, onward to championship baseball.

Contact columnist Jason Williams by email at jwilliams@enquirer.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Sad to see Joey Votto leave Cincinnati Reds, don't lose sight of plan