The bands in Cincinnati's opening day parade just got a little bit louder.
And the beers that hoisted by Reds fans as they march by?
Well, they also just got a little bit colder on Monday afternoon.
Saving some of the offseason's biggest news for its final hours, Joey Votto and Cincinnati Reds have reportedly come to terms on a long-term extension that will keep the All-Star first baseman in the only uniform he's ever known. The surprise news was first reported by MLB Trade Rumors, which speculates the deal will be in the neighborhood of $200 million when it's officially announced.
Hoo boy, is this slow-whistle time or what? Not only is this big news for Votto's bank account or the Reds fans who were afraid the 2010 NL MVP would walk when his contract was done after next season, it's a story with a league-wide impact.
With that in mind, here are a few quick thoughts on Votto's extension:
• It's clear that the Reds knew what they were up against. Handing out two hundred million big ones puts Cincinnati in the precarious payroll positions that Minnesota and Colorado entered when they locked down Joe Mauer and Troy Tulowitzki as franchise cornerstones. But it's also somewhat a bargain after an offseason that saw fellow first baseman Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder command ever more money on the open market. If Votto had reached free agency after the 2013 season, he would have had no shortage of suitors and the Reds would have likely been bid straight out of the market. It's been no secret that Blue Jays fans have long coveted the Toronto native's return while the Cubs and Dodgers' new front offices could have been ready to open their wallets for Votto's type of talent. The Reds just crushed a lot of dreams in those markets today.
• Seriously, if you know a Blue Jays fan, swallow the international charges and give him or her a call. Just to make sure they're still breathing.
• Same thing for anyone who knows Brandon Phillips. While an extension for the Reds' second baseman once seemed more likely than securing Votto, it seems safe to assume that Reds ownership won't have enough money to keep Phillips after he becomes a free agent following the 2012 season.
• That is, unless Reds owner Bob Castellini is one of the three Mega Millions winners who still haven't come forward. Then he'll probably keep both.
• As their contract situations currently stand, the headlines for the free agent class of 2014 now belong to Tim Lincecum, Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, Jacoby Ellsbury and David Wright. But there's plenty of time for those players to also work out extensions with their clubs. After today's news, I don't feel that comfortable in speculating which players will test the market waters.
• If Votto's deal is north of $200 million, he'll join Alex Rodriguez, Fielder and Pujols as the only ballplayers to pass that vaunted mark. And considering that three of those deals were signed in the past few months, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe is right in noting that the Red Sox got a bargain when they signed Adrian Gonzalez to a seven-year, $145 million deal last offseason.
• Ryan Howard's five-year, $125 million deal is still LOLworthy, though.
• Yes, Votto may have left some money on the table by not waiting around to see what the larger markets were offering. But he's also a player who's never relished being in the spotlight and he's obviously very comfortable playing in a smaller market like Cincinnati. While it's weird to congratulate a player who settled for *only* $200 million, I'll offer up a "cheers" to Votto for making the decision that was right for him.
Make sure you're ready for opening day ...
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