The early talk of the Reds' offseason is whether or not the team should trade 2010 NL MVP Joey Votto.

“We haven’t talked about it. I wish that people would stop writing it,” Jocketty told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. “Why would we trade one of the best players in the game? We’re trying to win.”

ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted this past weeekend that "rival executives getting signals that the Reds won't shop Joey Votto -- but that they are fully prepared to listen to offers."

He added in his column that "it would be excruciating for Reds to trade Votto, an excellent homegrown player who really cares about improving. But as a business decision, it's a no-brainer".

If the Reds were going to make the deal, it would have to pay huge dividends on the other end. FanGraph.com noted four condidtions for Cincinnati to pull the trigger:

1) The team getting Votto needs to believe they can contend in 2012 and/or 2013 (after which Votto will be a premier free agent)

2) the team needs to have an open spot at first base or the ability to make space there (this is a bit tougher than just bumping a number five starter out of the rotation)

3) the team needs to have very good prospects and/or good players signed to team-friendly contracts that they are willing to move and that they can contend without in 2012 and 2013

4) the team needs to have space on their projected 2013 payroll for Votto’s $17 million contract.

MLB cincinnati reds, joey votto, walt jocketty, 2012 mlb offseason