If it was up to Westsider I don't think any trade would ever get done.

 

I don't see why it is so absurd to trade Zimmerman for Votto? I would think they would rather have Votto as the centerpiece of their offense. Everyone knows 1st baseman play a lot longer and healthier too. Plus the Nationals obviously have money to sign Votto.

I give it a 0.0% chance that either team would do that trade.

 

Wow you must really know your stuff!

Zimmerman isn't as good as Votto. Votto is the NL MVP. The only reason you do trade him is because IF he isn't going to sign long in Cincy. I just said IF.

1. Zimmerman got a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in '09 and is younger than Votto, so I'd say it's pretty close.

2. Let's say you are right though, and Votto IS better than Zimmerman---why would the Reds trade away a player for a lesser player who makes MORE money?

Wow you must really know your stuff!

Give me one GOOD reason either of those teams would do it. As I said, the Reds would be adding money and if they are to trade Votto it will be for prospects and young players not getting paid like Zimmerman. The Nationals have no reason to trade away Zimmerman who is an all star caliber player and a good SS who is under team control for a few more years.

1. Zimmerman got a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in '09 and is younger than Votto, so I'd say it's pretty close.

2. Let's say you are right though, and Votto IS better than Zimmerman---why would the Reds trade away a player for a lesser player who makes MORE money?

 

If they know Votto won't sign, they would be trading him to upgrade 3B while they have a 1B in the waiting. I guess you could say Francisco is the 3B of the future but if he is the Reds are in trouble, IMO.

 

By trading Votto for Zimmerman they get a 3B and open up a slot for Alonso. Votto and Zimmerman would make roughly the same if they were to resign Votto, so saying that Zimmerman makes more money is a wash.

Will the Reds take a look at JJ Hardy?

I don't see why it is so absurd to trade Zimmerman for Votto? I would think they would rather have Votto as the centerpiece of their offense. Everyone knows 1st baseman play a lot longer and healthier too. Plus the Nationals obviously have money to sign Votto.

 

I think the Reds would be crazy to do it. Zimmerman is good but Votto is the face on the franchise now and is an MVP. You keep him here unless you are getting Roy Halladay in return.

Give me one GOOD reason either of those teams would do it. As I said, the Reds would be adding money and if they are to trade Votto it will be for prospects and young players not getting paid like Zimmerman. The Nationals have no reason to trade away Zimmerman who is an all star caliber player and a good SS who is under team control for a few more years.

 

First off I wasn't trying to make a trade proposal to Walt Jocketty. I was just trying to come up with intriguing options.

 

The money thing your trying to make up is wrong. The whole POINT of the trade is because money. The Reds will not be able to re-sign Votto if he goes for the big $$. Think about it, Ryan Howard got 25 million a year. Pujols is going to 25-30 million if he stays in STL and if he leaves it could get ridiculous. So, assuming Votto stays at the pace he is at right now his floor will probably be at least 20 million a year when talking a long term deal. So already that is less for Zimmerman, who makes 8.9, 12, 14 in the proceeding years.

 

Zimmerman is 1 year younger than Votto. Add the wear and tear of a third baseman to a 1st baseman and at the least it cancels out.

 

As I said before, the Nat's have another stud SS, so they will probably eventually use one as a trading chip.

 

This isn't the Kansas City Royals were talking about here. Washington is a big market city. They can cough the money up for players, especially if they start winning. So I can't see them being too worried about that.

 

I don't understand how you could say Votto and Zimmerman are so close. Zimmerman is a stud, but I think Votto is up there with the class of the NL. He is a pure hitter, and hits for average with power. Also plays his position well. Really he is only comparable to Pujols, so that is enough said. He has to stay consistent, but just watching him play you would think he will be able to do that.

 

Why this deal makes sense for the Reds? Well for one, their finally a winning ball club. If they are at the top, why would you trade for prospects "if anything"? You would trade a player that is the caliber of Joey Votto for MLB proven talent. If the FO realizes they can't reach a long term deal with Votto, then why wait and let him walk for a few prospects when you could get guys who could make a major impact on your club tomorrow. They have Alonso, who while he probably won't be Votto could hold his own. After next year Scott is done, so opening at 3rd. Unless they make some splash to get a SS this offseason, I'm sure we will still be talking about the void at SS in the winter of 2011. So if your the Reds it comes down to upgrading 2 positions big time, and then patching a hole at 1st with a top prospect like Yonder.

 

All of this was just me throwing out ideas to what could happen with Votto. I don't know when the trade would happen, I was just trying to think ahead, and Zimmerman and Desmond came to mind as potentially a fair trade for both teams. I wasn't submitting a trade. But you say it would be dumb for both teams, and I disagree. I think it would work well for both.

I think the Reds would be crazy to do it. Zimmerman is good but Votto is the face on the franchise now and is an MVP. You keep him here unless you are getting Roy Halladay in return.

 

I understand that, but if you know you can't resign him then you could either deal him, or ride him out and get a few draft picks for him. It's just an interesting idea that could develop in Cincy in the coming years. It is happening in St. Louis with Pujols, but if you can't get them you have to look at what you could get in return. Of course St. Louis doesn't want to trade Albert, but if they can't get him to sign it has to be an option.

I see what you are saying Capernicus but Votto will be here for at least 2 or 3 more years probably, by that time who knows what Zimmerman would be and what he is getting paid. It's an interesting idea but I think if we were trading him we would wait till the last year possible and trade him mid season to some team in a playoff race that will load up on prospects. At of it depends on what kind of shape the Reds team is during that time as well. Trading Votto anytime soon is utterly ridiculous though.

I see what you are saying Capernicus but Votto will be here for at least 2 or 3 more years probably, by that time who knows what Zimmerman would be and what he is getting paid. It's an interesting idea but I think if we were trading him we would wait till the last year possible and trade him mid season to some team in a playoff race that will load up on prospects. At of it depends on what kind of shape the Reds team is during that time as well. Trading Votto anytime soon is utterly ridiculous though.

 

Yeah, I agree they will use Votto as long as possible. I also thought Votto was on a shorter leash when I said next year (Winter 2011). I really was only trying to think of intriguing ideas for if it happened, just to discuss.

Yeah, I agree they will use Votto as long as possible. I also thought Votto was on a shorter leash when I said next year (Winter 2011). I really was only trying to think of intriguing ideas for if it happened, just to discuss.

 

I agree there are so many variables to take into account as for as looking down the road at a trade for him. Hopefully he comes around on signing a long term deal and we never have to worry about that.

Rolen post all-star break:

 

3 HRs 26 RBI

Rolen post all-star break:

 

3 HRs 26 RBI

 

His average was still decent for the most part. However he really broken down bad the last 2 weeks and the playoffs.

His average was still decent for the most part. However he really broken down bad the last 2 weeks and the playoffs.

 

3 HRs tells me he broke down a lot earlier than the last 2 weeks.

 

1 HR per month. 319/260/240 the last 3 months.