Much of the recent chatter surrounding the Reds has focused on a possible extension for Brandon Phillips. Here are a few links about Phillips' teammates as Spring Training gets started in Goodyear, Arizona…
- Joey Votto said he prefers to keep contract talk to himself, his agent and the Reds, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “As much as people, players want to say, ‘no, it’s not a distraction.’ It’s exhausting. It’s a lingering issue," he said, before making reference to Prince Fielder 's new deal. Last month I suggested it could cost upwards of $160MM in additional commitments to keep Votto in a Reds uniform through 2020
- Reds closer Ryan Madson told ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick that he remains a Scott Boras client.“I plan on being with Scott for the foreseeable future,” Madson said. “Everything is the same." Madson signed for $8.5MM this offseason — less than originally anticipated.
- Scott Rolen told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that he’s focused on the upcoming season, not whether he’ll continue playing beyond 2012. The third baseman turns 37 in April and is entering the final year of his contract.
Bottom will be a blue jay by years end
Votto lol
U really think they are going to trade him?
Unless u meant FA….in which I agree with you.
His name is Votto and the only way he’d come to Toronto would be on a free agent contract. I don’t see Toronto trading a ton of prospects for him when they’d have a fair shot at him on the open market and probably can’t make playoffs this season anyways due to their rotation. Sorry bro.
If they won’t go over 5 years, they won’t get Joey Votto as a FA either. So if they are really set on wanting Votto, the only way is to trade for him and then extend him. I don’t see it happening, especially this year. The Reds are looking to make a run at a World Series, not dump their best player.
This is our year Reds FANS !!! Can’t wait till opening day!!!!! ALL THE WAY To our 1st World Championship since 1990 !! mark my words !! this will be the year of the CINCINNATI REDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Easy on the optimism.
Learning from mistakes i assume?
Yep. Don’t get your hopes up just to have them let down. Plus if you’re a pessimist, no matter what happens, it’ll exceed your expectations. Instant pleasure
Ah, old school Sox fan I assume?
How about trying to win a playoff game first…… oh and it helps to hit the ball when you’re there.
Have fun in third place Wineybird. ;)
U won’t be seeing the playoff bud Albert bailed out on u guys haha
You are the winner for “most pathetic comment of the day”
Congrats, look forward to seeing if you can top it tomorrow!
Sorry that Sir_Roidbert left your team… maybe you can replace him with Beltran.. j/k
If the Reds are out of the race later in the season, I fully expect to see a fire sale for prospects.
That would make little sense. You don’t trade for a guy like Mat Latos and bail out on trying to win at the first sign of trouble. Sure after this season they’ll have to start thinking about their future with Votto but I think they have a legit chance to take the NL Central this year.
They still have Votto through 2013, they may lose Phillips this year if things go bad… so, no real fire sale.
Red fans are so funny, good luck with that.
Everyone can have hope this time of the year. It’s part of the game. I think the team that will really surprise (but not really) are the Braves. I am a big Reds fan but I see that team growing quickly.
Context?
I love Votto, but man, he sometime’s seems like the reincarnation of Ted Williams (some of the hitting prowess, but some of the attitude, too). Love both guys, but they can be quietly gruff. :)
Did you just compare Votto to Williams??
Let’s see Votto draw 140 walks and strike out 27 times in 600 PAs, then we’ll talk comparisons.
This reply is for eyeglass1, not JacksTigers. Sorry.
Not to mention.. Teddy Ballgame had a CAREER Avg of .344 over 19 seasons and votto hasn’t hit over .324 yet.. then OPS.. Teddy’s CAREER was 1.116.. Votto’s Highest is 1.024.
Forget comparing him to Teddy Ballgame and anyone else to probably EVER come along with the eye, power and ability overall to put the ball into play for that matter..
Let’s see Votto draw 140 walks and strike out 27 times in 600 PAs, then we’ll talk comparisons.
I was comparing that Votto is a good hitter, obviously not as good Williams. I was more comparing their attitudes. I guess you guys missed that.
He’s a good hitter, but not great. Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols are great, not Votto.
Votto, Cabrera and Pujols are all in the same class.
Cabrera and Pujols are locks for the HOF. Votto is an excellent hitter, but has not been as dominating for as long as those two have.
Votto has had two consecutive ~7 WAR seasons and has the highest career OPS in Reds franchise history. Pujols is in the highest possible class in baseball history, but I think Votto is on his way to Cooperstown.
Um, maybe because he’s not been playing as long? that’s about the weakest support for your opinion. He cannot help he’s played less time, and that he’s younger.
Your right, he can’t help it. But the fact that he has played for a shorter period doesn’t mean you can assume he will replicate his career years for a good chunk of the rest of his career. If he puts up those numbers for 2-3 more years, then he would be in the same class as Pujols or Cabrera.
If you were to put a bet on which player were to put up a .350/.425/.600 line next year, Votto would not have the same odds as Pujols or Cabrera. He’s capable of it, but no as likely as those two.
Votto is not even close.
The problem Boras had with Madson is that he thought that there was a league’s worth of GM’s who would be willing to irresponsibly spend on one-inning relief pitchers.
Turns out, there is only one……..Rube Amaro.
If only Omar Minaya were still around as a GM…
LOL, or his trusty side kick, JP Riccardi.
Come on home, Joey.