Before their big deadline deals last season, the Toronto Blue Jays tried to acquire Canadian first baseman Joey Votto
The Toronto Blue Jays were not messing around last season. Before the trade deadline, they acquired Troy Tulowitzki and David Price. Those deals helped lead the Jays back to the playoffs since the early 1990’s. They may have gone in a different direction.
"At one point last season, the Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds were beginning serious discussions regarding Canadian first baseman Joey Votto coming home to Toronto, according to sources with knowledge at the time.But then other Jays moves were made at the trade deadline. GM Alex Anthopoulos executed deals for Troy Tulowitzki and David Price, coming together quickly over 24 hours. The Votto talks never gained momentum."
This off-season, Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista are set to be free agents. If they both leave, that leaves Tulowtizki, Josh Donaldson and Russell Martin as the big sticks in the order. Should the team revisit those talks in the off-season?
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First of all, Votto has to be available. The Reds are rebuilding. They tried to trade Brandon Phillips but he vetoed it. They sent Jay Bruce to the Mets at the deadline. Could they continue their rebuild by trading one of the best first baseman in the game?
Votto will turn 33 on September 10. He is still owed $182 (!) million until 2023. In 2024, when Votto would be in his age 40 season, he would either have a $7 million buyout or a $20 million salary.
Bautista will turn 36 in October. Encarnacion will turn 34 in January.
I don’t know what kind of deals either slugger would get in free agency, but I don’t believe that either would be for as long as what Votto has left on his. Secondly, It’s going to cost the Jays prospects to get Votto, something they don’t have much of with all of their deals in recent years.
Votto would represent an upgrade over the recently re-signed Justin Smoak. He would also be a lefty, something the Toronto Blue Jays don’t really have.
To me, the better play may be to try and keep the band together a little bit longer. Sign either Encarnacion or Bautista to play first base next season. Maybe then go and add Josh Reddick in free agency also as a lefty bat in free agency to play the outfield.
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Spend the money rather than the resources of prospects.