Cincinnati Reds: Albert Pujols Signing Hurts Reds' Chances of Keeping Joey Votto

The Cincinnati Reds need to be paying close attention to what just happened in Anaheim. Albert Pujols signed a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels worth a reported $254 million.

Pujols’ contract comes as no surprise. Arguably the greatest right-handed hitter of all time, Pujols spent 11 years in St. Louis recording 2,073 hits and 445 home runs for a .328 batting average. He also led the Cardinals to two World Series victories.

The Reds also have their own All-Star, MVP-winning first baseman to extend. Joey Votto has two years left on his deal, which expires in 2013 when he is due to make $17 million.

Pujols’ ridiculous contract complicates the Reds ability to extend Votto after 2013. Votto and his agent are surely aware of the deal Pujols received. Votto is only 28 years old in the prime of his career. He is the perfect building block for a young Reds team that is hoping to contend for a World Series.

Retaining Votto will likely cost the organization $23-27 million a year after 2013. The Reds in recent history have been hesitant to go above an $74 million payroll total, so Votto’s large contract would represent a preposterous number for the club. Last year the payroll stood at $75.9 million, the most in the club's history.

The problem is, Cincinnati won’t stand a chance if Votto tests free agency in 2013. The Reds can’t afford to invest that type of money into one player like other larger franchises can. To make matters worse, the Reds are going to have to spend a large amount of money this season to retain 2nd baseman Brandon Phillips.

It would make the most sense for the Reds to try and move Votto via trade soon. Votto and the Reds have been involved in various trade rumors recently. One such rumor had Votto being shipped to the Toronto Blue Jays for right-fielder Josè Bautista.

A more realistic rumor involves the Reds shipping Votto to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for starting pitcher James Shields. The Reds are looking for more consistent starting pitching and the Rays are looking for the one player to put them over the top. The trade would free up even more money for the Reds as well.

Regardless of the specifics, any trade moving Joey Votto out of Cincinnati will allow emerging star Yonder Alonso to play his natural position at first base. Alonso, in spot duty, has shined at the plate but struggled in left field. He is becoming a hot commodity in trade talks and the Reds would be smart to keep him instead of Votto.

The market for elite first basemen has been driven up drastically thanks to the likes of Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard($25 million per year) and Mark Teixeira($22.5 million per year). Votto will demand the same, if not more.

To put it simply, the Reds can’t afford to pay for Joey Votto when the time comes. The club also can’t afford to let go of Votto without receiving something in return. If the Reds are serious about contending for a World Series, management needs to correctly address this situation.

The outcome will set back the franchise for years or shape it into a World Series contender.