Apparently the Reds don't want to keep chugging out $17 million a year.  Joey is on the books for that much next year, and then he becomes a free agent in 2013.  Cincinnati wants to keep payroll somewhere around 80-85 million, and to give one player 20% of the payroll doesn't make much sense to them.  Especially if they believe prospect Yonder Alonso is truly ready.

Wow, can you imagine what it's gonna be like if this comes down?  Fresh meat in the shark tank.  It's a lot of money, but can you imagine adding Joey Votto to your favorite team?  He'd look good in Giant orange and black  or  Rockie silver and purple for that matter.  Both those teams could use a 1B stud in the middle of their line-ups too.  If the Rox got off the cheap and pulled it off, can you imagine a 3-4-5 order at Coors Field of Cargo, Tulo, and Votto?  It would be the return of the Blake Street Bombers I tell ya.

But, ya know, it's the off-season and I'm dreaming here……..sigh.