Not that there were any worries from anybody that things were going to fall through, but Wednesday, the ten-year Joey Votto contract extension with the Cincinnati Reds was made official. Mark Sheldon:
Joey Votto’s Contract Extension With Reds All Official Now
The deal, attached to the two years remaining on Votto’s current contract, will run through the 2023 season. There is a club option for 2024. The extension reportedly is worth $225 million.
Everything about this, we pretty much already knew, but we hadn’t heard of the option before. The Reds don’t have Votto under contract for only the next twelve seasons. The Reds might have Votto under contract for the next thirteen seasons, provided the twelfth season is good enough. It would be interesting if the club option for 2024 automatically vests if Votto reaches 17 XHHes in 2023. There isn’t such thing as an XHH now but 2023 is a long way in the future.
As noted before, Votto’s getting a no-trade clause, giving him double protection, since his contract is already effectively a no-trade clause. There are whispers that the contract was pushed through by Reds owner Bob Castellini and that other executives are worried, but we needn’t acknowledge whispers. Speak up!
Speaking of speaking up, some Reds players reacted to the Votto extension news:
"I'm happy for him," Reds right fielder Jay Bruce said. "I think he's going to be really happy here. It's pretty monumental for the franchise. I know he plans on giving his very best, working as hard as he can work and will continue to work to be the player that earned this contract."
"To be honest, I'm surprised," Reds center fielder Drew Stubbs said. "You only expect a few franchises to be in the mix for a contract like that -- New York, L.A., Chicago and so forth. For Cincinnati to step up and be in the neighborhood of that just shows we're making a point to keep up with those organizations to compete and try to be a force in this league."
Brandon Phillips couldn't be reached for comment, as he was busy suitcase shopping.
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