Votto concerned about Reds' direction: 'We haven't done enough winning'

The Cincinnati Reds are amid a teardown, and their franchise cornerstone first baseman isn't pleased about the downward trajectory.

"That's obviously not something I play for," Joey Votto told MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. "It would be a shame for the last clinching game of my career to be in an empty stadium in Minnesota (in 2020). I'm grateful for that moment, but I have higher expectations to be part of other large major-league moments. That's without question concerning to me. I've been in the same uniform my entire career. We haven't done enough winning."

Votto deflected the question to management when asked if he'd consider demanding a trade with two years left on his contract.

"That's the type of question you'd have to ask ownership and the front office," he said. "I have never once in my career asked or even whispered anything like that. I've been loyal to this uniform, to this city, to the contract that I signed. ... That's not my question."

The Reds began trading away stars almost immediately after MLB and the players' union ratified a new collective bargaining agreement to end the lockout. Cincinnati traded right-hander Sonny Gray to the Minnesota Twins over the weekend before shipping Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez to the Seattle Mariners on Monday.

The club could also potentially part with Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, and Mike Moustakas to cut payroll before the season begins.

Jonathan India, who won NL Rookie of the Year last year, also voiced his displeasure with the moves.

"(I'm) definitely frustrated, for sure," India told Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I think most of the guys in here are frustrated, but hey, it's a business."

Votto has spent his entire 15-year career with the Reds and won an MVP award in 2010. The six-time All-Star is owed $25 million in each of the next two seasons. He also has a $20-million team option for 2024 with a $7-million buyout.

Despite being 38, Votto is still an impact bat. He's coming off a remarkable 2021 season, hitting .266/.375/.563 with 36 homers.