Bruce open to a multi-year deal that crosses over into Free Agency.

[Kingspoint]

Someone mentioned...don't know who it was..., that the REDS would have a lower payroll this season. That's just not true. Long-term deals are going to be sought for both Bruce and Votto. They won't be making the low-figures that their arbitration would have gotten them. Their new contracts, and I assume that Walt will get both of them done this winter, will push their total for 2011 somewhere in the $15M-$18 range, adding quite a chunk to the 2011 and 2012 payrolls. In the long-term, it will save money on the 2013-2015 payrolls (relatively).


From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Jay Bruce, who is an arbitration-eligible as a "Super Two" this winter, is open to a multi-year contract, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "If Jay can get compensated fairly over his arbitration years and into his free agency years, we're open to it," said Bruce's agent Matt Sosnick. "If it makes financial sense, we'll look at it. There is no hesitation on Jay's part to stay in Cincinnati for as long as possible. He loves it there." Bruce, 23, batted .281/.353/.493 with 25 homers and 70 RBI this past season and is already one of the best defensive right fielders in baseball. It would be wise to lock him up now before he has a true breakthrough season.

[David Cubbedge]

"If Jay can get compensated fairly over his arbitration years and into his free agency years, we're open to it," Sosnick said. "If it makes financial sense, we'll look at it. There is no hesitation on Jay's part to stay in Cincinnati for as long as possible. He loves it there."
Bruce is due a significant raise as he enters his first year of arbitration (also a Super Two), and he's expressed interest a long-term deal in the past. Perhaps Nick Markakis' six-year, $66MM deal can be used as framework. Bruce had a monster season at age 23, hitting .281/.353/.493 with 25 homers.

[1990REDS]

Lock that man up. Nothing better than a phenominal talent who actually wants to be here

[Vottomatic]

I'd wait and see how he does next year. If he's turned the corner like his last 2 months suggest, then do the deal.

[Kingspoint]

I'd wait and see how he does next year. If he's turned the corner like his last 2 months suggest, then do the deal.

It just gets more expensive if he has turned the corner.

He's already the best Right-Fielder Defensively.

Bette to buy low.

[davereds24]

I'd get it done now too. Even if his offense never reaches full potential he will never be a huge bust.

Sign Bruce, wait on Votto since his value is at an all time high now.