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MLB Trade Deadline: 1 trade every team shouldn’t make

By Nathaniel Reeves

Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 15, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) during game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Reds defeated the Phillies, 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) during game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Reds defeated the Phillies, 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Cincinnati Reds: Trading Joey Votto

Much like the Braves, the Reds are doing an extensive rebuild with an expensive star on the roster, although Cincinnati is much further along. A Votto deal could make sense at some point, but the Reds should hang on to him at least through the 2016 deadline.

The Reds starting blowing things up last trade deadline by dealing Cueto to Kansas City, and the moves continued this offseason with Chapman and Todd Frazier heading elsewhere. While the Reds got some very nice pieces in those deals, it meant that this year was going to be a struggle, and Cincinnati currently sits in last place in the NL Central at 15-24.

While there aren’t many veteran pieces left, Cincinnati will be able to sell a couple more players at the deadline. The Reds have to be thrilled that Jay Bruce is hitting at his best clip in three years, as he may be able to fetch a solid prospect in a deadline deal.

However, the timing is not quite right to trade Votto, who is off to an uncharacteristic start at the plate with just a 87 wRC+ per FanGraphs. Teams are going to believe Votto’s excellent track record over a month and a half of poor hitting, but the Reds want to make sure Votto’s value is at its peak if they are going to do such a deal.

The Reds have lined up a young rotation that is shaping up to be very good in the future, and they could be competitive before the 32-year-old Votto really starts to decline. Such a big deal would probably be better suited for the offseason, if it all.

Next: Cleveland Indians: Dealing Trevor Bauer

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