Votto’s extension a really big deal
Toronto native’s 12-year pact longest guaranteed contract in MLB history
CINCINNATI— Joey Votto got the big payday by staying in a small market, agreeing to a 12-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday that is the longest guaranteed contract in major league history.
The deal adds 10 years to his previous contract and includes a club option for 2024, when the first baseman will be winding down his career.
After watching NL Central rivals St. Louis and Milwaukee lose their first basemen to big deals in bigger markets, the Reds secured their 2010 National League MVP for more than $200 million (all figures U.S.), easily eclipsing the nine-year, $116 million package Ken Griffey Jr. got to return home in 2000 as the largest in Reds history.
“Is it risky?” said owner Bob Castellini, who sought a lot of outside advice before signing off on the deal. “No doubt. That’s the environment we live in, especially as a small market. We feel Joe will be a cornerstone.”
It wasn’t an easy decision for the 28-year-old Toronto native to make such a long-term commitment. He decided he had found contentment in Cincinnati, which took him in the second round of the June 2002 draft.
“Maybe I could have found that elsewhere,” Votto said. “Maybe not. But I like what I’ve got here.”
Under Castellini, the Reds have been trying to rebuild the franchise into a regular winner by developing players and holding on to them. Keeping Votto rather than letting him leave for a bigger market was considered a key.
“It’s hard to compete with the bigger markets,” manager Dusty Baker said before a workout at Great American Ball Park. “You see those guys who have left — they couldn’t come up with a deal — and they go to bigger markets like New York, L.A., Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Anaheim.
“It means a lot not only for the franchise but also for the city. It means kids can grow up emulating him and pretending to be Joey Votto.”
Albert Pujols helped St. Louis win the World Series, then got a $240 million, 10-year deal from the Angels in December. Prince Fielder led Milwaukee to the division title, but left for a $214 million, nine-year contract with the Tigers.
Votto was offered a long-term deal after the 2010 season, but chose a $38 million, three-year contract instead. He said he’s more willing to make a long-term commitment now, and joked his girlfriend probably was happy about that, too.
With the additional 10 years, Votto’s deal tops the 11 guaranteed seasons Colorado gave Todd Helton in 2001.