Report: Blue Jays want to know if Reds are trading Votto

The Toronto Blue Jays still appear to have some interest in bringing Joey Votto home.

With the possibility of an opening at first base looming once this season ends, Toronto reportedly told the Cincinnati Reds not to trade the All-Star first baseman without talking to them first, sources told Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball.

The Blue Jays and Reds apparently talked about Votto ahead of last year's trade deadline, when Alex Anthopoulos was still Toronto's general manager.

Report: Blue Jays, Reds discussed Votto last year

It's not clear if the rebuilding Reds even have interest in trading Votto despite owing him $172 million over the next seven years. What's also unclear is if Votto even wants to leave Cincinnati. The 33-year-old owns a full no-trade clause and is said to love playing for the Reds, and GM Dick Williams told Heyman he doesn't believe Votto wants to leave.

The Blue Jays' apparent interest in Votto - who hails from the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke, Ontario - could stem from the fact that All-Star first baseman Edwin Encarnacion is a free agent at season's end. Toronto's lineup is also overwhelmingly right-handed, and Votto would add some much-needed punch from the left side.

Votto posted a .326/.434/.550 slash line with 29 homers and 108 walks for the Reds this season, and became the first player since 2004 to hit .400 in the second half.