Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that the Reds have signed outfielder Jay Bruce to a six-year, $51 million contract extension.The deal also contains a club option for a seventh year that would bring the total worth to $63 million. Bruce was up for salary arbitration for the first time this winter and could have started down a path of negotiating raises each year. Instead he opted to cash in now, committing Thursday to an extended stay in Cincinnati. These deals often go well for both sides.Source: Jerry Crasnick on Twitter
The Reds have locked up Jay Bruce to a 6-year contract with an option for a 7th. Seven more years of Jay Bruce? I'm looking forward to each and every one. And, the deal comes at the exact right time, as I truly believe that Bruce is ready to break out. When all is said and done, this deal should work out very well for the Reds and set Jay Bruce up for life.
If Bruce avoids injury, then this deal should be a very good one for the Reds. Under the fangraphs.com "Dollars" metric, Bruce's 2010 production was worth $21.1M. In short, a single season at his 2010 level of production would be worth almost 1/3 of the cost of his entire salary over the next 7-seasons. It's scary to think just how valuable Bruce can be if he continues to improve.
Actually, today is a VERY good day.
Agree wholeheartedly, about time. Not much to say except BRAVO! One heck of a bargain really. Had they done this with Joey sooner we'd be looking at a much bigger window right now.
ReplyDeleteBTW about Votto, that quote you had on him suggesting he wouldn't give a home town discount, do you have a link on it?
Disregard on the link found it.
ReplyDeletegreat move, however im still waiting on something we didn't expect. I am waiting for something that will improve this team for next year, instead of keeping it the same
ReplyDeleteWill,
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Great move Jocketty. Almost makes up for his almost total inactivity this offseason. It'll be very interesting to see how the Votto negotiations play out.
Best,
Lark
Smitty,
ReplyDeleteWhat did you have in mind? I have real concern about the Reds ability to monetize the value of their prospects. Seems like too many of our prospects are withering on the vine.
Best,
Lark
I have no problem with inactivity. They are good; keep them that way. In that context, seven years of Jay Bruce is wonderful. "Problem solving" got rid of Josh Hamilton (can you imagine where they would be if Krivsky, who I admire, had not adressed the "need" for starting pitchers).
ReplyDeleteBeyond this, move out the old and bring in the young guys from the system. If they can come up with anyway of committing to Votto, I'm all for it.
Novy,
ReplyDeletelol
Don't remind me on Hamilton. Hated the trade then and hate it just as much now. However, the problem with that move wasn't the attempt to problem solve, but rather simply doing it poorly. Hamilton has once in a generation type skills. You don't trade that away, but I digress.
As for Bruce, I agree that it was a tremendous signing. Made my day. I'm hoping that Votto is up next.
But, for me, a contract extension with Votto MUST buy out a couple of his free agency seasons. There has been talk about getting Votto inked to a 2 or 3 year deal. For me, that makes zero sense. If Votto wants the financial security that comes with a multi-year extension, then he has to give up a couple of free agency years. If he is unwilling to give up a couple of free agency years, then he can keep the risk that comes from going year-to-year.
The point of the extension shouldn't be simply saving a couple million during his arbitration years, but rather ensuring that Votto is here for 5 or 6 more seasons.
If he is unwilling to sign a 5 or 6 year extension, then I'd rather go year to year.
My $.02.
Best,
Lark