[More Cowbell]

You're right that there will not be any good free agent starters on the market. If the Reds hope to add a top-shelf starter, it will have to be via trade. As for who they trade, I don't know. I'm not sure Hamilton will bring a huge return, just too many ifs. He was injury-prone this year, and this was only his first full season in the majors after coming back from drug abuse, so who knows what his future holds? As he is not necessarily a 'sure thing', I'm not positive we will get an acceptable return for him.

Votto is another matter. I am not wild about trading him, I think he is a star in the making, but I would accept it if we got a top-line starter in return. If he is dealt, they had better get a good one back. Can't blow that one...