Joey Votto got a big payday by staying in a small market, agreeing to a $251.5 million, 12-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, the longest guaranteed contract in major league history.The agreement adds $225 million over 10 years to his previous contract. The deal includes a club option for 2024, when the 2010 National League MVP turns 41.After watching NL Central rivals St. Louis and Milwaukee lose their first basemen to bigger markets, the Reds secured Votto with a package that easily eclipsed Ken Griffey Jr.'s $116.5 million, nine-year deal from 2000 as the largest in franchise history. In the majors, it trails only Alex Rodriguez's $275 million and $252 million deals, both over 10 years. Source: ESPN
It ain't my money so I'm fine with it. Votto is great and they did what they had to do to keep him from getting swept up by one of those butthole teams in big markets with more money than god. If they hadn't given him this and he'd played another year or two at the same level, someone else would have. I don't love it but this is undeniably the way mega contracts are shifting in baseball.
yep, you're right snowman. he was going to get paid by someone. the reds have remained profitable with average payroll sizes the last few years. apparently they're 'going for it' with this deal and are pretty much guessing if the team doesn't improve and increase revenue they can always just trade him down the road.
Proof that Selig is the worst commissioner in all sports. Baseball is out of hand with these deals and most teams can't work with one player making that much money for too long.
How many freaking huge contracts need to fail miserably before this sport realizes that fully guaranteed contracts are bullcrap?
If the Reds really want to "go for it" they should probably hire a real manager instead of Dusty Baker. :icon_cheesygrin:
One quarter of a billion dollars for fans, sponsors, etc. to fork out. Wow! He could bat .219, hit 10 homers and 45 RBI's every year for the next 10 years and those ginormous deposits will still be made every two weeks. Screw MLB.
yep, that would be the worst-case scenario for the reds because then they wouldn't be able to even trade him (and his contract) away at that point.
