Cincinnati Reds Continue to Lock Up Their Young Players

When Walt Jocketty became the general manager of the Cincinnati Reds early in 2008, Reds fans were reserved but held out hope that the move would change the team's fortunes. Jocketty was coming off a successful stint as the boss in St. Louis, and the Reds were coming off yet another losing season. This winter, after last season's inspiring division championship, Jocketty and the Reds have gone on a veritable spending spree, although most of the dollars have stayed in-house. Apparently happy with the development of their young players, the Reds have worked diligently to lock up those youngsters to long-term deals. Is this a good move?

Well, for the most part the Reds have just bought out the players' arbitration eligibility, with maybe a year of free agency thrown in for good measure. That was the case with NL MVP Joey Votto's deal, worth $38 million dollars over Votto's three years of arbitration. He'll still be eligible for free agency after 2013, but this new deal will remove the uncertainty and potential animosity that often accompanies the arbitration process. Maybe the Reds will overpay by a bit or maybe the deal will be a bargain for the team, but the peace of mind is a plus, and it may grease the skids for a free agent contract with Votto down the road.

The Reds used the same formula for Jay Bruce (6 years, $51 million) and Johnny Cueto (4 years, $27 million). Unlike the Votto contract, these deals also cover at least one year of the players' free agent status, understandable since both players are younger and more unproven than Votto. Undoubtedly, Votto wants to keep his options open at this point.

The one contract that looks a little expensive from the team's point of view is Bronson Arroyo's extension at three years and $35 million. Arroyo has been better than league-average, but not by a whole lot. He also turns 34 before the season starts, which means it's almost a certainty that his $18 million salary in 2013 will be a huge overreach. At least most of that sum ($15 million) will be deferred.

Overall, these deals look to be reasonable investments for the Reds that could go a long way toward cementing fans' loyalties to this rendition of the team. Cincinnati was once one of the great baseball towns in America, but the circus years of Marge Schott and Jim Bowden hardened many fans, and it's been a long haul back. This team, though, is building an identity, and there is hope that the Queen City will soon become, once again, the baseball jewel that it should be.