In an off-season that has so far seen them improve by standing pat and witnessing their division foes succumb to attrition, the Cincinnati Reds have finally started making a little noise of their own. After watching Albert Pujols leave the St. Louis Cardinals via free agency and Ryan Braun leave the Milwaukee Brewers , at least temporarily, at the hands of a suspension for the use of performance enhancing drugs, the Reds on December 17 pulled off what I would consider to be a blockbuster trade. In the deal, the Reds paid a king’s ransom to bring in starting pitcher Mat Latos from the San Diego Padres, although the young hurler has a chance to actually be worth the price. What is really encouraging to me about this trade, though, is that it represents the first sign that Cincinnati might make an honest effort to retain Joey Votto beyond this season.

In order to acquire Latos, general manager Walt Jocketty shipped starting pitcher Edinson Volquez, first baseman Yonder Alonso, catcher Yasmani Grandal and right-hander Brad Boxberger to the Padres. Grandal and Boxberger are two highly-regarded prospects with high ceilings, but Alonso is the key name among the castoffs. The young first baseman has been viewed alternately as the heir apparent to Joey Votto at first, or as being blocked by Votto, depending on who is speaking and how cynical the mood. With Alonso moved out of town, it would seem that the Reds don’t plan to pluck Votto off the sack in Great American Ballpark anytime soon.

Votto is in his final season before free agency, and we’ve been debating his future with the Reds for a couple of years now. Votto is 28 and in his prime, so he is likely to command something close to the contract that Pujols inked with the Los Angeles Angels, which would put him in the neighborhood of $20 million per season for 10 or more years. That seems like a lot for the Reds to pay any one player, but with Alonso gone, they don’t appear to have a ready alternative as a slugging first baseman. With second baseman Brandon Phillips hitting free agency this off-season, the Reds also have the opportunity to open up a little salary room simply by letting Phillips walk.

Whether or not Votto sticks around after 2012, it will be very interesting to watch the results of this deal develop from both sides. Latos is coming to a decidedly hitter-friendly park, so we may be in for a period of adjustment. If he can make that leap and stay healthy, though, all indications are that he could be a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter. That’s a rare creature in these parts.

Adam Hughes was raised, and still lives, in rural Indiana. He has been a Cincinnati Reds fan since the early 1980s, when gods like Dan Driessen and Cesar Cedeno roamed the ethereally green Riverfront turf. He thinks that Dusty Baker is the anti-Davey.

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With actual baseball games still going on, it’s my belief that October trade speculation is the province of team-specific blogs. After all, we won’t have any shortage of time to talk hot stove once the World Series is over and winter rolls around.

However, it’s not every day that the talk centers around an MVP like Joey Votto(notes). The Cincinnati Reds first baseman has been the subject of many loud whispers ever since ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that rival teams might be sending some trade offers the Reds’ way.

The whispers have grown so loud, in fact, that Reds GM Walt Jocketty has been compelled to go on the offensive and publicly insist that Votto isn’t going anywhere soon.

From Cincinnati.com:

“I’m tired of talking about it,” [Jocketty] said. “We’re not shopping him. We’re not entertaining offers. It’s frustrating. He’s one of the best players in the game. Why would we trade him? I wish people would stop writing about it.” [...]

“Everyone is assuming they know our business,” Jocketty said. “They don’t. Then they write this and I have to call Joey and his agent and let them know there is nothing to it. It’s not fair.”

Jocketty can claim that the Reds aren’t shopping Votto — something that Olney never reported, by the way — but it’s easy to see why rivals might want to poach Votto and blogs like Jays Journal are already picturing the Toronto native playing first for the Blue Jays. He’s going to be very expensive once he’s eligible for free agency in 2014; the Reds already have prospect Yonder Alonso(notes) waiting in the wings and he could pull a good package of prospects from teams that lose out on the Albert Pujols(notes) and Prince Fielder(notes) derby this winter.

At the same time, it’s easy for us to see where Jocketty is coming from. The Reds crept back into relevance with their 2010 NL Central title and trading away the team’s best player would destroy any inroads the club has made at repairing its reputation locally and nationally. There may come a day when Jocketty has to deal Votto if the team either can’t afford him or he decides he’d like to play elsewhere. But it does no favors to Jocketty’s bargaining position if he allows the belief that Votto will be easy pickings.

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Related: Yonder Alonso, Joey Votto, Prince Fielder, Albert Pujols, Cincinnati Reds

“He worked both sides of the plate,” Marlins slugger Mike Stanton said. “Threw soft pitches, mixed it up.”

Florida’s Chris Volstad (5-11) allowed two runs in the first inning as the first four Reds hitters reached base with hits. Joey Votto homered in the third inning to give the Reds an early lead.

“Once again we got bit by that first inning,” Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. “We were down 3-0 and didn’t start hitting until the sixth inning.”

While the Marlins struggled at the plate, Votto did not.

Votto homered in each game of a doubleheader and went 5 for 7 with four RBIs in the two games. He extended his hitting streak to 10 games. The reigning NL MVP has 24 homers this season.

“Nobody gets locked in like Joey Votto,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “When he gets locked in, it’s hard to fool him. He can hit you any part of the ballpark and he’s climbing up the batting race. It’s nice to see Joey get hot.”

Votto is hitting .500 (16 of 32) with six home runs and 13 RBIs during his hitting streak.

“I’ve felt very good lately,” Votto said. “I think the stuff I learned early in the season has started to actualize. I thought I’ve made a lot of improvements as a hitter and it’s starting to pay off.”

The doubleheader was scheduled to avoid potential inclement weather brought by Hurricane Irene, which was forecasted to hit South Florida Thursday.

“It’s very tough to win doubleheaders especially in their ballpark,” Baker said. “For years (the Marlins) have been tough here, real tough. I’m just happy to get a split, I’d be even happier if we had gotten the sweep.”

Arroyo (8-10) beat the Marlins for the first time in his career, but he had to wait out an eventful ending to earn it.

“I’ve had a lot of leads down here,” Arroyo said. “It was definitely nice to kind of put the nail in the coffin especially because they had a chance there to tie it. To get out of here with a win was nice.”

Francisco Cordero relieved Arroyo in the ninth and allowed back-to-back run-scoring hits by Greg Dobbs and Gaby Sanchez. He got Bryan Petersen to fly out and Jose Lopez to ground out to end the game earning his 28th save in 33 opportunities.

After the Marlins scored six runs in the first game, they were held down for most of the second game.

“(Arroyo) changed speeds, he threw that soft stuff up there,” McKeon said. “I don’t think he topped 87 on his fastball. The secret is location and he had good location on his pitches and he was successful.”

Florida’s Chris Volstad (5-11) lost his third consecutive decision since being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans. He allowed three runs in six innings.

Ross Detwiler might have thrown his best game as a Washington National. It wasn’t good enough to beat Johnny Cueto and the Cincinnati Reds, however.

Although Detwiler struck out a career-high seven in six innings — his longest outing this season — the Nationals lost 2-1 on Wednesday night as Cueto pitched into the ninth inning.

Detwiler (1-3) left one inning shy of his career high. He hadn’t pitched more than 5 1-3 innings this season.

“He pitched great,” teammate Jayson Werth said. “Not too many times you look up there and see a lefty throw 94, 96. He had good stuff.”

The only blemish for Detwiler was Joey Votto’s 20th home run with two outs in the first inning on a fastball that stayed up.

“Looking at it now, throw anything but what I threw there, and hopefully he doesn’t hit it out,” Detwiler said.

After falling behind 2-0 going into the ninth inning, the Nationals rallied.

Ryan Zimmerman hit a home run on Cueto’s first pitch of the inning, and Washington loaded the bases against closer Francisco Cordero before Wilson Ramos grounded into a double play to end the game.

“He made a good pitch and got out of it,” Werth said. “We were in position to win the game. I think as time goes on with these guys and this team, you keep getting your opportunities and eventually you’re going to turn the corner and get it done.”

Cordero walked Werth with one out, then Danny Espinosa singled and Jonny Gomes reached on shortstop Paul Janish’s error to load the bases before the final double play.

“We were fortunate to get that one,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “We squeaked that one out big time.”

For most of the game, the 1-0 lead from Votto’s homer looked like it would be enough for Cueto (9-5), who allowed six hits, struck out five and did not walk a batter.

Washington had runners reach third base in the second and fourth innings, but each time Cueto easily got out of the jam.

“He had a special outing tonight,” Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. “Our problem was we had guys on third base with nobody out and we didn’t get anybody in.”

After the homer, Detwiler primarily relied on his sinker, which he was able to keep down in the zone, to keep the Reds to the one run.

Detwiler got out of a jam in the third when the Reds loaded the bases with one out. Brandon Phillips singled, Dave Sappelt doubled and Votto walked before Detwiler struck out Jay Bruce and Miguel Cairo hit a fly ball to shallow right field to end the inning.

Detwiler picked up his third straight loss despite not allowing more than three earned runs in any of his four starts this season.

“I feel like Ross has pitched well the last couple outings,” Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond said. “We haven’t given him very much run support.”

On the other side, Cueto, who opened the game by striking out the first three batters, narrowly missed his second shutout of the season. He leads the majors with a 1.89 ERA after the outing gave him enough innings to officially qualify.

The Reds picked up an insurance run in the eighth. They had a chance to pick up a few more but left the bases loaded.

Consecutive singles by Votto and Bruce against reliever Sean Burnett put runners on the corners with no outs. Cairo grounded sharply up the middle, and Burnett snagged it and threw to third to catch Votto, who had started for home on the play. Another walk by Burnett loaded the bases.

Ryan Mattheus replaced Burnett, and Hernandez hit a grounder up the middle that was fielded by Desmond. A slight slip when Desmond fielded the ball left him unable to turn a double play, but he did throw out Hernandez while Bruce scored.

Another walk by Mattheus loaded the bases for Cueto, who grounded to second to end the inning.

NOTES: Nationals RHP Steven Strasburg, who had Tommy John surgery last year, made his third minor-league rehab start for Class A Hagerstown. Johnson said Strasburg may eventually replace RHP Jordan Zimmermann, who has an innings cap this season because of his 2009 Tommy John surgery. Johnson said Zimmermann likely has three more starts, and the manager speculated Strasburg may fill his spot on Sept. 2. … Desmond batted leadoff for the first time since April 14. … Phillips led off for the first time this season. … Zimmermann (7-10) starts Thursday against Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo (7-9) in the final game of the series.

Francisco Cordero came on to get the final three outs for his 24th save in 29 chances, although he needed a game-ending double play to get out of a bases loaded jam.

Ramon Hernandez drove in a run for the Reds on a groundout.

Ross Detwiler (1-3) pitched six innings, his longest outing of the season. He allowed one run and seven hits while striking out a career-high seven and walking two.

The only blemish for Detwiler was Votto’s 20th home run with two outs in the first inning.

Cueto, who opened the game by striking out the first three batters, narrowly missed his second shutout of the season. He leads the majors with a 1.89 ERA after the outing gave him enough innings to officially qualify.

Washington had runners reach third base in the second and fourth innings, but each time Cueto easily got out of the jam.

Cincinnati posed a scoring threat in the third when the Reds loaded the bases with one out. Brandon Phillips singled, Dave Sappelt doubled and Votto walked before Detwiler struck out Jay Bruce and Miguel Cairo hit a fly ball to shallow right field to end the inning.

The Reds picked up an insurance run in the eighth. They had a chance to pick up a few more but left the bases loaded.

Consecutive singles by Votto and Bruce against reliever Sean Burnett put runners on the corners with no outs. Cairo grounded sharply up the middle, and Burnett snagged it and threw to third to catch Votto, who had started for home on the play. Another walk by Burnett loaded the bases.

Ryan Mattheus replaced Burnett, and Hernandez hit a grounder up the middle that was fielded by shortstop Ian Desmond. A slight slip when Desmond fielded the ball left him unable to turn a double play, but he did throw out Hernandez while Bruce scored.

Another walk by Mattheus loaded the bases for Cueto, who grounded to second to end the inning.

Cordero entered after Zimmerman’s homer. After a groundout, Jayson Werth walked, Danny Espinosa singled and Jonny Gomes reached on shortstop Paul Janish’s error to load the bases. Wilson Ramos then grounded into a double play.

NOTES: Nationals RHP Steven Strasburg, who had Tommy John surgery last year, made his third minor-league rehab start for Class A Hagerstown. Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Strasburg may eventually replace RHP Jordan Zimmermann, who has an innings cap this season because of his 2009 Tommy John surgery. Johnson said Zimmermann likely has three more starts, and the manager speculated Strasburg may fill his spot on Sept. 2. … Desmond batted leadoff for the first time since April 14. … Phillips led off for the first time this season. … Zimmermann (7-10) starts Thursday against Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo (7-9) in the final game of the series.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Johnny Cueto pitched into the ninth inning and Joey Votto homered to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night.

Cueto (9-5) held the Nationals scoreless until Ryan Zimmerman homered on his first pitch of the ninth inning. Cueto allowed six hits, struck out five and did not walk a batter.

Francisco Cordero came on to get the final three outs for his 24th save in 29 chances, although he needed a game-ending double play to get out of a bases loaded jam.

Ramon Hernandez drove in a run for the Reds on a groundout.

Ross Detwiler (1-3) pitched six innings, his longest outing of the season. He allowed one run and seven hits while striking out a career-high seven and walking two.

The only blemish for Detwiler was Votto’s 20th home run with two outs in the first inning.

Cueto, who opened the game by striking out the first three batters, narrowly missed his second shutout of the season. He leads the majors with a 1.89 ERA after the outing gave him enough innings to officially qualify.

Washington had runners reach third base in the second and fourth innings, but each time Cueto easily got out of the jam.

Cincinnati posed a scoring threat in the third when the Reds loaded the bases with one out. Brandon Phillips singled, Dave Sappelt doubled and Votto walked before Detwiler struck out Jay Bruce and Miguel Cairo hit a fly ball to shallow right field to end the inning.

The Reds picked up an insurance run in the eighth. They had a chance to pick up a few more but left the bases loaded.

Consecutive singles by Votto and Bruce against reliever Sean Burnett put runners on the corners with no outs. Cairo grounded sharply up the middle, and Burnett snagged it and threw to third to catch Votto, who had started for home on the play. Another walk by Burnett loaded the bases.

Ryan Mattheus replaced Burnett, and Hernandez hit a grounder up the middle that was fielded by shortstop Ian Desmond. A slight slip when Desmond fielded the ball left him unable to turn a double play, but he did throw out Hernandez while Bruce scored.

Another walk by Mattheus loaded the bases for Cueto, who grounded to second to end the inning.

Cordero entered after Zimmerman’s homer. After a groundout, Jayson Werth walked, Danny Espinosa singled and Jonny Gomes reached on shortstop Paul Janish’s error to load the bases. Wilson Ramos then grounded into a double play.

NOTES: Nationals RHP Steven Strasburg, who had Tommy John surgery last year, made his third minor-league rehab start for Class A Hagerstown. Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Strasburg may eventually replace RHP Jordan Zimmermann, who has an innings cap this season because of his 2009 Tommy John surgery. Johnson said Zimmermann likely has three more starts, and the manager speculated Strasburg may fill his spot on Sept. 2. … Desmond batted leadoff for the first time since April 14. … Phillips led off for the first time this season. … Zimmermann (7-10) starts Thursday against Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo (7-9) in the final game of the series.