[quote]An [url="http://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN/status/122741436067225601"]intriguing report[/url] from ESPN’s Buster Olney:[indent][size=1]
Rival executives getting signals that the Reds won’t shop [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/1127/joey-votto"]Joey Votto[/url] — but that they are fully prepared to listen to offers.[/size]
[/indent]
Votto is owed a bargain $9.5 million salary in 2012, but that number jumps sharply to $17 million in 2013 and the Canadian-born first baseman will be a free agent heading into 2014. If the Reds are already resigned to the fact that they won’t be able to afford a long-term extension, they might as well get max value for Votto before he gets a whiff of the open market.
Votto batted .309 with a .947 OPS, 29 home runs and 103 RBI in 161 games this season. He posted a 1.024 OPS, 37 home runs and 113 RBI over 150 games in 2010 to earn National League MVP honors.[/quote]

[url="http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/08/reds-prepared-to-listen-to-trade-offers-for-joey-votto/"]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/08/reds-prepared-to-listen-to-trade-offers-for-joey-votto/[/url]

I dunno what I think. On one hand, I think Yonder Alonso can make a similar impact that Joey does at the plate.

But the fact that we aren't going to get a big-time player due to financial reasons makes me feel uneasy. Looks like we need to win next year..

I'd love to see one of those Braves pitching studs and Prado.

It's sad but there is no way this team will ever be able to resign him if he continues to put up the numbers. Make a run at it next year and give Alonso a full year to see what you have. If Alonso looks good after next year trade him for a kings ransom. Depending on where Fielder and Pujols end up some team might get desperate this offseason and give up a bunch for Votto.

Yeah..I just don't know how we are going to be able to ever consistently be a winning team when we can't pay our big-time guys. We are in danger of losing Brandon this year too..aren't we?

I'd hate to rely on young guys year in and out just to see them go to the big spenders when they are allowed. Kind of sucks.

Yea we could lose Phillips after next season but I say we have a much better chance at resigning him. Second baseman dont make near the money that a first baseman would make. Uggla just signed a deal for 12.4 million a year and that was the most money ever for a second baseman. Phillips will be 31 after next season and I believe he could signed for around 11 million a year. Where as Votto could make 20 million a year or more.

Whew!


I thought this was a thread about signing Volquez to a long term deal.

Or that Carl Linder was running the show again ...

lol. I guess it could be worse.

They need to go all in this year and give it a shot while they still have Brandon and Votto.

Votto is gone in 2 years, but that doesn't mean we have to get rid of him now unless we get a great, proven offer.

[quote name='gatorclaws' timestamp='1318291318' post='1043556']
They need to go all in this year and give it a shot while they still have Brandon and Votto.

Votto is gone in 2 years, but that doesn't mean we have to get rid of him now unless we get a great, proven offer.
[/quote]
Agreed. Front office needs to be active.

I'm not saying Votto will for sure be gone in the future, you never know. Let's just enjoy the time now and win! Let the cards fall where they may.

[quote name='JC' timestamp='1318135675' post='1041776']

[url="http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/08/reds-prepared-to-listen-to-trade-offers-for-joey-votto/"]http://hardballtalk....for-joey-votto/[/url]

I dunno what I think. On one hand, I think Yonder Alonso can make a similar impact that Joey does at the plate.

But the fact that we aren't going to get a big-time player due to financial reasons makes me feel uneasy. Looks like we need to win next year..

I'd love to see one of those Braves pitching studs and Prado.
[/quote]

So you think Yonder Alonso, based on the limited sample we saw this season, can be a top 3 hitter in all of baseball?

Nice.

Easy there Billy Beane..

His stats are damn near the same as Joey's first year. Not that I'd expect you to do that much research.

Joey's not a top 3 hitter in baseball anyways.

[quote name='JC' timestamp='1318512016' post='1044601']


Joey's not a top 3 hitter in baseball anyways.
[/quote]
uhhhhhhhhhh, WHAT?

[quote name='Who Dey Forever' timestamp='1318636038' post='1045190']
uhhhhhhhhhh, WHAT?
[/quote]
Braun, Pujols, Cano, Jacoby, Kemp, Miggy Cabrera, Adrian Gonzo.

[quote name='JC' timestamp='1318636877' post='1045199']
Braun, Pujols, Cano, Jacoby, Kemp, Miggy Cabrera, Adrian Gonzo.
[/quote]
Lol. Votto is near the top in nearly every single offensive category and he doesn't have the protection those kind of players do.

Cmon son.

[quote name='Who Dey Forever' timestamp='1318897415' post='1046966']
Lol. Votto is near the top in nearly every single offensive category and he doesn't have the protection those kind of players do.

Cmon son.
[/quote]
lol. If you want to make it out to be that way..by all means. Have at it.

[quote name='JC' timestamp='1318898488' post='1046969']
lol. If you want to make it out to be that way..by all means. Have at it.
[/quote]
I mean, am I wrong? Please enlighten me if I am.

[quote name='Who Dey Forever' timestamp='1318986793' post='1048425']
I mean, am I wrong? Please enlighten me if I am.
[/quote]
Those guys all had better years. That's all I'm saying. Protection or not. Jay Bruce was lighting up the ball at times too.

[quote name='JC' timestamp='1318989195' post='1048462']
Those guys all had better years. That's all I'm saying. Protection or not. Jay Bruce was lighting up the ball at times too.
[/quote]
Better years because of what I said about the protection. You're not going to get pitches when you can easily get the next person out. I'd definitely wanna look at Joey's numbers during May when Jay was playing lights out. That's baseball. Votto still hit .300 , 100 rbis and 30 home runs following a MVP year might I say.


Not gonna start an argument though, Votto is worth top dollar regardless.