, although, I could see Yankees GM Brian Cashman making Sabathia an offer he can't refuse.
Now we get this from ESPN's Buster Olney:
Rival executives getting signals that theRedswon't shopJoey Votto-- but that they are fully prepared to listen to offers.
I am very surprised to hear this, but the Reds are ready to win now and need an ace starting pitcher to compete, so maybe they feel that dealing Votto is their best chance to get that ace starter.
More on the Reds listening to offers for Joey Votto after the jump:
But, Reds beat writer, John Fay, wrote this in his blog regarding Olney's tweet:
Don’t know if there’s anything to it, but most of the Twitter talk we’ve seen related to Votto involves theBlue Jays(no surprise there, as Votto is Canadian and there’s been previous speculation about Toronto) and theMarlins.
I don't see the Marlins with any ace pitchers they would be willing to deal....well, they do have Josh Johnson, but he is coming off an injury. The Blue Jays could be willing to deal Rioky Romero who pitched very well in 2011, going 15-11 in 225.0 innings with a 2.92 ERA, 4.20 FIP and a 3.80 xFIP. Romero has thrown 178 or more innings in each of the last 3 seasons and is 42-29 over that same period. Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopolous dealt starterShaun Marcumto theBrewerslast offseason, and could be willing to deal Romero this offseason.
Who would replace Votto at first base for the Reds? First base prospect Yonder Alonso. Alonso was solid at the plate in his 2011 cup of coffee, hitting .330-.398-.545 with 5 HRs, 15 RBI and 9 runs in 88 at bats. At AAA in 2011, Alonso hit .296-.374-.486 with 12 HRs, 24 doubles, 56 RBI, 46 runs, 6 SBs and a 60-46 K/BB rate.
The Reds tried Alonso in left field and at third base to get his bat in the lineup, but he was a liability in left field and many thought the Reds only option was to deal Alonso this offseason, but apparently teams aren't interested in Alonso. But, there will be plenty of teams with interest in Votto.
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