Due to living in Cincinnati for most of my chidlhood the Reds have always been my favorite NL team so I've probably seen 20-30 games on TV and been to 6 games in person over the last two years. As a consequence I have fallen in love with Joey Votto. He would be a perfect lefty bat in the middle of the Sox order and with Alonso pounding minor league pitching the Reds may be persuaded to trade him. I realize that he won't come cheap. However, the Reds have had a serious problem with their leadoff hitters all year. Ellsbury could easily peak their interest. A package of Jacoby, Buchholz, and Lowrie could possibly do it and leave our farm system mostly untouched. This would also give the Sox the oppurtunity to sign Figgins to play Center and allow us to still get a power bat in left field.

