MLB Trade Deadline: One trade each team should make

Cincinnati Reds– Joey Votto and cash to Toronto for Justin Smoak, D.J. Davis, Drew Hutchinson and Sean Reid-Foley.

This would make waves in Cincinnati, but the only way to truly rebuild is to get rid of the guys who are making a ton of money. Yes, Votto has a no trade, but he could waive it to play in Toronto. The Reds would get a replacement who they could just let play everyday in Smoak. Smoak is a free agent at the end of the year, so if Smoak doesn’t do well, they don’t have to commit to him. They get a young starter in Drew Hutchinson to add to their stable of arms. Davis and Foley are two of the Jays top prospects and could be building blocks for the Reds when they get good again and can build around with.

The Jays can have the Reds pick up some of the salary for this year so their payroll doesn’t get too far out of whack. Votto gives them insurance in case Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista leave via free agency next year. They would still have Votto, Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson to build around along with Russell Martin. The trade would go over well in Canada with a native son playing for them and it gives the Jays left-handed thump in an all right-handed lineup and may make it the most dangerous in the game.

Next: Cleveland Indians