Reds would consider trading Joey Votto under these circumstances

Former Cincinnati Reds general manager Jim Bowden is just full of juicy gossip today. Bowden had Reds GM Nick Krall on his radio show this morning, and apparently Joey Votto's future with the organization was a topic of discussion.

Votto has said that he'd like to finish his career in Cincinnati; a sentiment that Krall seemed to agree with. But, the Reds executive left the door open for the possibility of Votto ending his career in the Great White North.

According to Bowden, when pressed on Votto's future with the team, Krall said that if Cincinnati was out of the postseason hunt by the trade deadline and the six-time All-Star requested a trade to his hometown Toronto Blue Jays, then perhaps he'd consider it.

Reds rumors: Joey Votto could be traded to Blue Jays under specific circumstances.

Joey Votto is in the final guaranteed year of a 10-year extension that he signed with the Cincinnati Reds back in 2012. Votto will be paid $25-million this season and has a $20-million team-option for next season.

Or, the Reds could choose to buyout that remaining option for $7-million. Essentially, if Cincinnati will face a $13-million decision next season about whether or not to bring Votto back to the Queen City for one last hurrah.

But if we're to believe these latest Reds rumors, it sounds like Cincinnati would be willing to give Votto an out if he wishes to play for a contender during the twilight of his career.

There are a lot of 'ifs' and 'buts' in these latest Reds rumors. But one if can already be checked off the list. Even the most optimistic Reds fans would agree that the team will be out of contention by the trade deadline.

If Votto actually has a bounce-back season and could be of value to a Toronto Blue Jays squad that seeking a return to the World Series, then perhaps there would be mutual interest.

The biggest 'but' would be Votto's desire to leave Cincinnati. According to Krall, Votto would have to come to them. Votto has been committed to bringing a championship to Cincinnati rather than chasing championships.

The Cincinnati Reds hung onto the Joey Votto during the dark days of the team's rebuild back in the mid-2010's. It seems unlikely that these latest Reds rumors would come fruition, but the fact that these are even being whispered is definitely intriguing.