Would the Reds Trade Votto?

by Eli Greenspan on Dec 23, 2008 10:12 AM EST

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Angels are moving on without Mark Teixeira. They plan to contact the agents of Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, and Adam Dunn before Major League offices close for Christmas and thru New Years. Not only that, but they pursue Reds 1B Joey Votto, who hit .297 with 24 HR in 154 games for the Reds last season. If the Angels traded one of their top pitching prospects with a major league ready position player, they could probably land him.

However, the Reds have the pitching and a couple solid players in their lineup to compete. Votto, Bruce, Phillips, and Encarnacion will all hit at least twenty homeruns and get on base. The Cubs are the early favorites to win the division, and trading Votto, who hit .333 with 8 HR vs. the Cubs last season, would not help their chances of beating the reigning division champ. Not only that, but they brought in an experienced catcher who has experience in working with young, developing pitchers, having spent the past three seasons in the Baltimore. Hernandez hit .283 in two seasons with the Padres, but fell to .263 with the Orioles. A move back to the NL could actually be a plus for Hernandez, who will be playing in the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark.

UPDATE: THE LA TIMES IS REPORTING THAT THE ANGELS WILL GO WITH KENDRY MORALES AT 1B IN 2009.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

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they have to trade him sooner or later because yonder alonso is waiting

by Deacon D on Dec 23, 2008 12:08 PM EST reply actions

you can't really think like that. in no way has yonder alonso proved him self at the professional level. He hit .316 in 19 at-bats at the Florida state league, and is hitting .308 with 4 HR. Minor league prospects are never "waiting." I believe that if a prospect can prove himself in the majors, a spot will emerge for him. Alonso's future is at 1b/DH...

If alonso is up by 2010, which is unlikely knowing walt jocketty's track record concerning prospects...they would move joey votto to left field.

by Eli on Dec 23, 2008 12:34 PM EST reply actions