Votto a Red until AARP calls

[Tavish]

10 year - $225m extension that does not replace his current contract so it covers 2014-2023 when Votto will be 40. Surpasses the Fielder contract as the 4th richest in history.

[bigh0rt]

Wow

[Ender]

I like Votto more than Fielder (which pains me to say as a Brewer fan!) but I don't like this fit very much for the Reds. This is the kind of deal that could cripple a franchise for years if it turns sour for some reason and that team does not draw enough fans to support a large payroll.

[Grounded Polo]

I like Votto more than Fielder (which pains me to say as a Brewer fan!) but I don't like this fit very much for the Reds. This is the kind of deal that could cripple a franchise for years if it turns sour for some reason and that team does not draw enough fans to support a large payroll.

This.

I don't think any one player is worth such an insane contract, especially when it's from the Reds, not the Yankees who can't be financially crippled by any one deal. Hard to imagine him really getting this contract elsewhere anyway.

It's scary how 5 year contracts now sound short.

[RedHopeful]

I like Votto more than Fielder (which pains me to say as a Brewer fan!) but I don't like this fit very much for the Reds. This is the kind of deal that could cripple a franchise for years if it turns sour for some reason and that team does not draw enough fans to support a large payroll.

Yeah, call me apprehensive as hell too. Even if he kills it for 5-6 years, he's bound to drop off and then a small market team will be stuck with a most burdensome contract.

[kab21]

This is a comparable contract except more money. How did that work out?

9 years/$141.5M (2003-11), plus 2012 club option
signed extension with xxxxxxx 3/01
03:$10.6M, 04:$11.6M, 05:$12.6M, 06-10:$16.6M/year, 11:$19.1M, 12:$23M club option ($4.6M buyout)

[Grounded Polo]

This is a comparable contract except more money. How did that work out?

9 years/$141.5M (2003-11), plus 2012 club option
signed extension with xxxxxxx 3/01
03:$10.6M, 04:$11.6M, 05:$12.6M, 06-10:$16.6M/year, 11:$19.1M, 12:$23M club option ($4.6M buyout)

The Rockies have been fortunate that Helton is still useful. Helton in 2003 was a better hitter than Votto in 2012 hands down too. Hopefully Votto's power won't vanish right when he hits his 30s. If A-Rod played out his original 10 year contract, that would have been the only good one (once in a generation superstar, only 25, can justify 10 years) but the Yankees were caught by Boras right after A-Rod put up an MVP season in 2007 and are screwed.

[mkultra]

It's scary how 5 year contracts now sound short.

I'd be interested in seeing an analysis of contract-years signed over the past few decades. I don't think contracts have gotten longer, but they've gotten either very long or very short. Maybe it's confirmation bias because you don't read about a lot of "average" contracts, but I feel like there's been a significant rise in 1-year contracts.

[Tavish]

I like Votto more than Fielder (which pains me to say as a Brewer fan!) but I don't like this fit very much for the Reds.

It still messes with my head than Fielder is actually younger than Votto. It just seems like Fielder has been around forever.

[lastingsgriller]

All this means is that he is guaranteed to be a Yankee in about 5 years. Or maybe even a dodger.