Cincinnati, Oh. – The Cincinnati Reds have just inked all star first baseman Joey Votto tp a ten year, $225 million dollar contract extension. This contract will keep Votto as a Red until the 2023 season.
SOurces close to Votto and the Reds have confirmed the general terms of the deal but will not say anything further until everything is done and all contracts are signed.
In agreeing to the fourth-largest deal in baseball history, Votto became the third first baseman in four months to top the $200 million mark. Albert Pujols agreed to a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels in January, and Prince Fielder followed with a nine-year, $213 million blockbuster deal with the Detroit Tigers also in January.
Until this season the only player that had broken the $200 million dollar mark was Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod’s deal with the Yankees is for $277 million dollars for ten years.
Earlier Monday, the San Francisco Giants signed Matt Cain to an extension that guarantees him at least an additional $112.5 million.
Votto had originally set a deadline for Monday night for him and the club to sign an extension so that the negotiations did not detract from the season. With this deal inked, Votto will become one of those rare stars who will probably retire with the same club that drafted him. And he will receive a full no-trade clause as part of the deal, as well, according to the person with knowledge of the contract.
Joey Votto’s deal will take effect after the final two years on his current three-year, $38 million deal expire. He’ll make $9.5 million this season and $17 million in 2014.
