Reds CEO: Still hopeful to extend Votto

[NAHSTE]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120126&content_id=26474240&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

CINCINNATI -- In light of the nine-year contract, reportedly worth $214 million, that Prince Fielder signed with the Tigers on Thursday, it's time to start wondering about Joey Votto's future with the Reds.

Votto is signed through 2013 and can become a first-time free agent after that season. In addition to Fielder, Albert Pujols -- who has the same agent as Votto -- signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Angels this offseason.

Despite the precedent set by these two contracts, Reds CEO Bob Castellini didn't rule out Cincinnati making the effort to sign the 2010 National League Most Valuable Player to an extension.

"I think that's a challenge, but we've got a lot of challenges," Castellini said at the Reds Caravan kickoff event on Thursday. "It's certainly something we would want to do."

Last winter, Votto signed a three-year, $38 million contract that covered the remaining three years of his arbitration eligibility. At the time, Votto wanted to leave his long-term options open because he could not envision himself making a longer commitment.

That triggered speculation that Votto might be traded during this winter. General manager Walt Jocketty repeatedly -- and emphatically -- shot those rumors down while saying the team wanted to win and needed its best player. Perhaps knowing the window of opportunity could still be limited if Votto moved on in two years, Jocketty has made several improvements to Cincinnati's roster this winter in an effort to go for the NL Central title in 2012.

Votto, 28, is due to make $9.5 million in 2012 and $17 million in 2013, plus he is still due $3.5 million of his $6 million signing bonus. Since his debut in 2007, he is a career .313 hitter with 119 home runs, 401 RBIs, a .405 on-base percentage and a .550 slugging percentage.

Castellini believes that he and Jocketty could initiate extension talks as early as this year.

"I think Walt has been in pursuit of that for a while," Castellini said. "It's something we know is a big challenge for us. It's certainly is desirable."

Thoughts, specifically from Reds fans? How high would you be willing to go? The Dodgers will have a new owner by the time he hits free agency, so it makes sense to lock him up before then. However you might have to overpay a bit.

If Pujols got 10, $240MM, and Prince got 9, $214MM won't the Reds pretty much have to start with 23 or 24 MM per as a base? That's an awful lot of money for a small market club to lock up in one guy, but it's Joey fucking Votto. His career OPS+ of 151 falls in the middle between Albert (170) and Prince (143). Matching the AAV of those deals wouldn't be a bad idea, provided the Reds feel they can handle that contract and still fill out the roster. Especially when you consider how wide open the NL will be for the next few years after the exodus of sluggers to the junior circuit.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

The good news, is both the owner & the GM want to make it work.

Votto is a weird guy. The Reds wanted to give him a lot more money over a longer period of time last year, and he insisted on three years. He said at the time he can't see himself ever signing a deal longer than 3 or 4 years, because he doesn't like looking that far into the future.

Just about everyone agrees that Votto doesn't want to play in a big market. He is shy and dislikes media attention. This also eliminates Toronto, because he supposedly has told people he doesn't want the distraction of playing at home. Again, he's an odd guy.

So here's what works in the Reds favor...

-Votto doesn't like the big markets, which is basically all that can afford him
-Votto will be 30 when he hits free agency, and he isn't Pujols, so teams will be hesitant to offer those $200+, 8-10 year deals
-Votto's salary next year will be between $17-$19 million next year (depending on the signing bonus split), so you are only talking a $3 or $4 raise at the most per year to extend
-Rolen & Arroyo will be coming off the books

What works against the Reds...

-Cueto, Bruce have big raises coming
-Latos, Stubbs, Mesoraco, Leake etc will be heading into arbitration and no longer be making the minimum
-Phillips extension will not be cheap

Will it come down to either Phillips or Votto? I don't know, but if they thought that it did, I doubt they would even be talking to Phillips. The Reds have Billy Hamilton coming, but he won't be ready next year if Phillips walks (he's two years away at minimum). Phillips is a Barry Larkin mark and loves Cincy, and badly wants to stay and retire as a Red.

 

[NAHSTE]

Will it come down to either Phillips or Votto? I don't know, but if they thought that it did, I doubt they would even be talking to Phillips. The Reds have Billy Hamilton coming, but he won't be ready next year if Phillips walks (he's two years away at minimum). Phillips is a Barry Larkin mark and loves Cincy, and badly wants to stay and retire as a Red.

I love Phillips but there's no way you can allow him to get in the way of Votto. Phillips is a damn good player, but he's more suited to compliment superstars like Votto. Without the centerpiece, the spokes on the wheel are just empty pieces.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

I also thought trading Alonso was telling. Neftali Soto is a good 1B prospect (30 HR's in AA), but Alonso is a LH Edgar Matinez and will rap 40 doubles per year with 20-25 HR's. Had they let him flop around LF for two more years, to me that would have been the writing on the wall.

I get the feeling they will genuinely try, but Votto is so hard to read as a person. Fielder's situation was easy to read, because pretty much everything out of his mouth and the Brewers was ominous in nature.

 

[Rudi]

Something tells me Votto really enjoys Cincinnati. Its a small market, and he is absolutely loved by the fans. As far as choosing between him and Phillips, I hope we don't have to make that decision. Both of them are fan favorites, and easily our best offensive players. I hope we are able to keep both of them. It will be a huge plus once we get Arroyo's contract off the books too.

I think it will also depend how good the team is over the next two years. If we continue to make the playoffs and show signs that we could make a run for the World Series, I think that could help keep Votto in Cincinnati

 

[Villain]

Chavez Ravine would love to have him for 3-4 years. :smug:

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

I think LA makes the most sense, because even though it's a big market, it's not an intense sports media market unless you are the Lakers, so he can sorta fly under the radar. He can't go on a 1-18 stretch in NY or Chicago and avoid 19 beat reporters.

 

[mcstl25]

The good news, is both the owner & the GM want to make it work.

Votto is a weird guy. The Reds wanted to give him a lot more money over a longer period of time last year, and he insisted on three years. He said at the time he can't see himself ever signing a deal longer than 3 or 4 years, because he doesn't like looking that far into the future.

That sounds like the lamest excuse ever. It's pretty obvious that Votto just wanted to get his guaranteed money through the arbitration years, then try to score big money as soon as he becomes free agent eligible. If he were to sign a 5 or 6 year extension, then he wouldn't be able to get a massive contract in free agency at the age of 32 or 33. A little risky on his part, but the possible payoff will be huge.

If Votto has two more great years, you can bet that he's going for a 7 to 9 year deal for $20 million plus per year.