MLB Trade Rumors: Should the Cincinnati Reds Trade Votto for a Top-End Starter?

Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty wishes people would stop writing about trading Joey Votto.

Steve Gardner of USA Today wrote about Votto in his article titled "Reds GM: Joey Votto Not on the Trading Block," and spoke to Jocketty about the potential trading of first baseman.

"I'm not interested in that. To have a player who's one of the best hitters in the game—and we try to build our offense around him—I'd be more inclined to sign him long-term if we could beyond the 2013 season," Jocketty said.

Jocketty realizes that Votto will come with a hefty price tag, but knows re-signing him is important to the team's future.

"It may be cost-prohibitive, but I think it's something we at least have to explore before we consider anything else with him," said Jocketty.

Mark Sheldon of MLB.com wrote in his article titled "Jocketty Dismisses Votto Trade Speculation" that the Reds have a strong need for a top end starting pitcher and there have been suggestions the Reds could move Votto with two years left on his contract to get a potentially better deal than possibly trying to deal him closer to free agency.

I disagree with Mark on two points:

1. Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder are both available, therefore, Votto's value may not be as high now as it will be after these two sign deals.
2. While it is always nice to add strong top end starting pitching, I don't believe adding one at the cost of Votto would serve the Reds well.

Reds first base prospect Yonder Alonso is looking primed for the majors, which might lead you to ask, why would the Reds not be served well in trading Votto for a top end starter?

My answer: In 2010, the talk was about how deep the Reds rotation was with seven pitchers making 12 or more starts. Sure no one really emerged as an "ace", but with that kind of depth you are going to win a lot of games. The Reds did, 91 in fact.

In 2011, with pretty much the same rotation, people now think the Reds need starting pitching? As Sheldon says, a top end starter would be nice but the Reds still have the makings of a very good rotation.

With Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, Homer Bailey, Aroldis Chapman, Travis Wood, Sam LeCure, Bronson Arroyo and, yes, Edinson Volquez, the Reds have the pieces to form a rotation that would be desired by most teams in the league.

As nice as it would be to add a top end starter, I don't believe adding one at the cost of Votto would serve the Reds well.