Reds give Votto 10-year, $225 million deal

Update: It?s a 10-year, $225 million extension, according to USA TODAY?s Bob Nightengale. It doesn?t replace Votto?s current contract, so it will run from 2014-2023.

If the story is true, it?s the fourth biggest contract of all-time, surpassing Prince Fielder?s deal with the Tigers. Alex Rodriguez holds the top two places on the list, with Albert Pujols? new $240 million deal in third place.

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Joey Votto is under contract for $9.5 million this season and $17 million next season as part of an extension signed last winter, but Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors reports that the Reds are close to signing the former MVP to a significantly longer extension.

According to Dierkes the new extension ?could surpass $200 million? in total value, although the length and salary details aren?t known yet.

This offseason Prince Fielder, who?s 27 years old, signed a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Tigers and Albert Pujols, who?s 32 years old, inked a 10-year, $240 million deal with the Angels. Votto is 28 years old and has been every bit as productive as Fielder and Pujols during the past three seasons, hitting .318 with a .983 OPS during that time while leading the league in OPS in 2010 and on-base percentage in both 2010 and 2011.

This could mean the end of Brandon Phillips? time in Cincinnati, as it?s hard to see the Reds having the money to keep the impending free agent second baseman around beyond this season if they?re throwing $200 million at Votto.

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