Fantasy Trade: Joey Votto?

ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting that the Cincinnati Reds could be looking to trade Joey Votto since he will be priced out of their price range once his contract expires after 2013. Could the Rays be potential suitors? They certainly have the farm system to do it. I could be dreaming very, very big, but wouldn’t that be awesome?

Votto was the NL MVP in 2010 and is a prolific hitter. Sure, he had a bit of a down year last year, but changing leagues could help his cause. Votto is set to earn $9.5 million next year and $17 million in 2013. That is a lot more than the Rays have ever spent on any one player, but if Stu Sternberg wants to put butts in seats and win the Rays a championship, Joey Votto might be the key. Can you imagine a 3-4 combo of Evan Longoria and Joey Votto? That would be amazing. It would put the Rays right up top as a favorite to win the World Series.

It would make sense for the Reds to trade Votto if they think they can’t afford him at the end of his contract. Yonder Alonso is waiting in the wings to step into the first base role that is filled by the mammoth that is Votto. I don’t know if Alonso can wait until 2014 to step into a starting role. He is ready now. The Reds showed interest in James Shields at the deadline and need starting pitching help. The Rays can give them James Shields, a younger starter like Alex Torres, plus one more prospect and I think the deal would be fair. The Reds would get the salary dump they wanted and the package they need. The Rays would get an extended rental in Votto and two chances to take the Rays to a World Series. It’s a win-win trade even if the Rays only get him for two seasons.