Staff Report

 

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — According to several sources, the Cincinnati Reds and first baseman Joey Votto have reached an agreement on a contract extension that will pay him $225 million over 10 years.

Votto, 28, signed a three-year, $38 million contract after his 2010 MVP season. He will be paid $26.5 million over the 2012 and 2013 seasons. His new deal adds eight years and nearly $200 million.

Votto hit .309 last season with 28 home runs and 103 runs batted in.

The Reds also signed outfielder Jay Bruce to a six-year, $51 million deal during the off-season in an attempt to lock up the nucleus of their young team.

If Votto’s deal is done, the Reds will now shift their focus to All-Star Gold Glove second baseman Brandon Phillips who becomes a free agent after the 2012 season.

Reds’ general manager Walt Jocketty wants a decision on Phillips’ future before the start of the regular season on Thursday.