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MLB Rumors: Are the Reds making the right call with Joey Votto?

The Cincinnati Reds were one of baseball's most surprising teams this past season, entering the season looking like one of the worst teams in the league only to make a shocking playoff push and finish with an 82-80 record.

Now, armed with one of the more young and exciting rosters in the game, the Reds are poised to not only compete for a playoff spot, but potentially win the NL Central. They've had an exciting offseason, signing Jeimer Candelario, Frankie Montas, Nick Martinez, Emilio Pagan, and Brent Suter to join their improving core.

As much fun as this offseason as been for Reds fans, there's still one key free agent out there with Reds ties. Joey Votto, one of the greatest players in Reds history, is a free agent and appears to be on his way out.

Jon Heyman reported that there are three teams interested in Votto on his BR Livestream, and it looks like the Reds are not one of those teams. In fact, Reds GM Nick Krall said point blank to a Reds season ticket holder that they do not plan to bring him back.

As much as the Reds might love having Votto around even if it's just as a mentor for their young players, the fit just doesn't make any sense. The Reds were loaded with infield depth even before signing Candelario, and now, they have more infielders than spots. They've pushed Spencer Steer to the outfield, will likely have Jonathan India as their primary DH, and have Christian Encarnacion-Strand looking at a bench role with Candelario likely manning first base.

Votto would be the third first baseman on the depth chart, and would rarely see any playing time. That's not what he wants, and is not what the Reds want either. It's always tough to say goodbye to a franchise icon, but it makes sense for both sides, at least with the way the Reds roster looks right now, to move on.