The only thing that's a plus about Howard being 26 already is that we'd only have to pay the minimum (I think) the next two years for his near-peak level production, and then a lower level arbitration figure the next year. He would get expensive around his age 30 year, but we'd be getting him at his peak so it wouldn't be such a drag.

But yeah, I agree that I don't really see Howard as a stud hitter right now. And his ceiling certainly is not as high as Cain's potential ceiling. To be honest, the only guy (who would be hypothetically available) that I might trade Cain for would be Adam Dunn. But that's about it and I don't think the Reds are going to trade any of their outfielders anyway.
Matt Cain!