Cincinnati Reds need to create an exit strategy for Joey Votto

The Cincinnati Reds know that they won’t be competitive if Joey Votto is still on the team at the tail end of his contract.  They don’t have unlimited funds.  The Reds need to figure out how to move on from the Votto era.

Votto is having another MVP like season.  He is leading the National League in walks, OBP, and OPS.  If it wasn’t for Charlie Blackmon having a great season carrying the playoff bound Colorado Rockies, Votto may be the MVP front runner.

Even with Votto having a great season, the Reds need to figure out how to move on from him.  In each of the last two seasons a contender has paid a large amount for a decent pitcher.  In the off-season the Reds would have more flexibility to get what would help their team.

Votto may have interest in ending his career in Toronto. He is the best Canadian born player in the history of MLB.  Returning to be a conquering hero could attract the ego of Votto.

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Going to the American League increases the chance that the next team Votto goes to could be his last.  If he goes to another National League team, it likely only buys him 3-5 years.  He would have to make  another move when his defense decreased too much.

The Cincinnati Reds need to ask themselves if the hauls the other teams got at the deadline would be sufficient for Joey Votto.

Last year the San Francisco Giants traded for Matt Moore.  

They sent the Tampa Rays Matt Duffy along with prospects Lucius Fox and Michael Santos in exchange for a mid-rotation pitcher.  A little better prospect than Fox would have been worthy of Votto last season.  

This year at the end of July, the New York Yankees sent three of their top prospects to the Oakland A’s for Sonny Gray.  The prospects, Dustin Fowler, Jorge Mateo, and James Kaprielian, were all ranked among the Yankees top twelve.  With Fowler included, that may have been enougb for Votto.

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Wherever Votto wants to go, the Reds should help him get there.  As can be seen from the deals made the past two seasons, the prospects are out there.  The Reds need to move on so that the Nick Senzel era can begin.