joey votto has been the best hitter in baseball outside of Mike trout the last 2 years combined. Why wouldn't any team with financial means want to keep tabs on him. If the reds were going to throw in some money in a deal, you'd have to listen, especially with the way the salaries are escalating. Votto is showing no sign of slowing down. His hitting ability is extraordinary. He may very well be papi at age 40. If the reds kicked in some money in a deal, you may very well like a genius when votto's 40 if he's still producing and you've had him on an aav of 17 mil for the life of his contract.