In https://t.co/3jH2O33pJ1 I asked this: If you were #Mets would you build trade around Dom Smith for Votto? Votto/Cespedes/Conforto
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 17, 2017
Despite six years, $132 million remaining on his deal, Sherman said there’s logic behind the Mets including top first baseman prospect Dominic Smith in a package for the Reds’ star.
Votto embodiment of what Alderson loves: tons of walks, loads of power. Obviously very risky with 6-$132M left after this year #Mets
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 17, 2017
He added teams such as the Angels and Blue Jays, with the ability to absorb Votto’s contract, make sense.
However, unless the Reds want to shed salary, there’s little reason to consider anything. Votto’s repeatedly said he wants to stay in Cincinnati, and he controls that situation with a no-trade clause.
But why move him now? Votto is producing (at a historical rate) on a solid offense. The Reds, with even mediocre pitching, could be in the wild card race. Perhaps there was a time to trade Votto earlier the rebuild, but the 2018 Reds need him if they’re going to make a leap similar to the Brewers and Twins this year.
As is the debate with trading any star, it’s unlikely the Reds get a package back that’s worth selling him anyway. With Hunter Greene and Nick Senzel joining the top of the farm system over the past two seasons, it’s becoming deeper.
From an on and off-field perspective, it simply makes no sense to trade Votto now. And Votto has made it clear he agrees.
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