I Strongly disagree with this solution.

If the main problem was people making too much money then your solution would make sense. Your solution would only increase the profits the Bid Bots are already making an encourage more people to make bots...

I think the main problem with Trending is "Non-trend" worthy articles pushed to the top by the same few people.

Either blacklist abusers or changing how trending works in general might be a better solution.