MLB Trade Deadline: 5 best spots for Joey Votto

Here are the five best fits for Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto in the event he is traded. 

The Cincinnati Reds signed first baseman Joey Votto to a 10-year deal worth $225 million back in 2012. At the time, with the Reds on an impressive run, it appeared the team had locked up their franchise cornerstone for the foreseeable future. Fast forward four years and Cincinnati is one of the worst teams in baseball. Despite the no-trade clause in Votto’s contract, the Reds are likely going to explore trading him, and Votto might be willing to waive that clause if it means he can join a contender.

Votto’s contract will make it difficult to trade him, however. The Reds would likely prefer not to retain any money on him since it’s not like Votto is overpaid. Even in a “down year,” Votto has an .894 OPS and a 140 OPS+. Sure, he just turned 32 and he’s under contract until he’s 40 years old. But the Reds could still get a huge return for the first  baseman.

Due to Votto’s contract, only a select number of teams could reasonably afford to trade for him. Here are the five best landing spots for Votto should the Reds opt to trade.

Next: 5. Washington Nationals