Yesterday, I caught wind of the rumors and glimpsed the chatter on social media. I was largely unavailable throughout the day, which is why I couldn’t promptly report on it. However, a significant part of me preferred to wait until the teams and player involved officially confirmed the news before attempting to articulate the developments and accompanying emotions.

Joey Votto has now inked a minor league contract with his hometown squad, the Toronto Blue Jays. This announcement came via the Jays’ update on Twitter on Saturday afternoon. The Cincinnati Reds, Votto’s former team and adopted hometown, didn’t find the news surprising. They swiftly followed up with a prepared tribute to Votto, acknowledging his eventual induction into the Hall of Fame, likely donning their uniform.

That clip was undeniably moving. Similarly, back in September, emotions ran high as it became painfully apparent that Joey Votto’s time with the Reds had reached its end. For many Reds fans, Votto represented not just a consistent presence in a franchise often plagued by missteps, but also a symbol of statistical analysis in a club reluctant to embrace modern baseball trends.

He had been that lone mainstay. I’ll preemptively apologize for any future slip-ups on that front.

I sincerely wish Joey all the best in his new journey, as he joins the Grapefruit League action in Dunedin. It’s a return to familiar territory for him, recalling his time with the Reds’ spring training club in Sarasota from 2006 to 2008, before the team relocated to the Cactus League in Goodyear, Arizona. After over 15 years, he’ll have the chance to reprise that role and, hopefully, secure a spot on a Toronto team poised for a playoff push this season, with their young core nearing free agency.

Here’s hoping everything falls into place, Joey. Let’s see that shoulder in top form once more.