Votto Restructure

[Thomaswaynem]

Mornings are my quiet time where I catch up on the news etc.

I’ve read several posts regarding the money the Reds owe for next season, can they sign Bauer and still bring in offensive help? I think the answer lies with Votto. What are the odds that the Reds could convince him to restructure the remaining 3 years of his deal? Stretch them out and defer down the line? This could solve a whole bunch of problems for the Reds. Say they defer $15 million this year....that’s 15 million to improve the team.

Votto isn’t getting any younger and this will be his last shot at a winner. He doesn’t need the money right now, and likely wants to win. The front office needs to get creative to open up some funds for the next couple years. The reds offense was terrible against the Braves but look what their pitching did to One of the best offensive squads in the league. They are right there but just need some minor tweAks! Find a way to bring Bauer back, and find a young slap hitter or two that can get on base.

Thoughts?

[mth123]

Interesting thought. I could see it as an alternative, but there is downside for future seasons. IF they could defer the money until the years where they'll probably be rebuilding anyway it would certainly help.

If you were Votto would you trust that the team was actually going to spend that money they are deferring? If I were Votto, I'd make it contingent on the payroll at least staying the same as last year's annualized payroll (not counting his deferred amount). Something like, go out and sign somebody and then we can talk...

[camisadelgolf]

What would a deferral look like?

2021: 18M
2022: 19M
2023: 20M
2024: 3M
2025: 3M
2026: 3M
2027: 3M
2028: 3M
2029: 3M
2030: 3M
2031: 3M

This offer would guarantee Votto $2,000,000 more on his contract, but $22,000,000 would be freed up over the next 3 years. I don't really know how to account for deferrals and inflation, but maybe an offer like this could get the conversation started?

[CySeymour]

Could be a good strategy. I'd imagine Votto would be at least open to listening.

[jimbroznan]

Currently the three years of $25 million at 3% have a present value $69 million and the $7 million buyout PV (3%) of $6.2 million. Now if inflation/interest rates return to a normal 5% then $3m in 2031=$1.8m.

[podgejeff_]

I would just like to point out that next year is the last year we will be paying Bronson Arroyo.

We have to wait until 2024 to stop paying Junior.

[BCubb2003]

It worked with Wily Mo.

[KronoRed]

What guarantee is there that the Reds will spend it on players?

[Bourgeois Zee]

It worked with Wily Mo.

We have come full circle on RedsZone.

I feel like a Lion King Elton John number needs to happen post-haste.

[Bob Sheed]

I would just like to point out that next year is the last year we will be paying Bronson Arroyo.

We have to wait until 2024 to stop paying Junior.

This was my initial thought.

But if adding a few million each year down the road would free up money to sign Bauer, I'm listening.

[adkindo]

I would just like to point out that next year is the last year we will be paying Bronson Arroyo.

We have to wait until 2024 to stop paying Junior.

Mets fans think you should quit complaining.....they owe Bonilla until 2035, and he has not been in a Mets uniform since 1999.

[podgejeff_]

Mets fans think you should quit complaining.....they owe Bonilla until 2035, and he has not been in a Mets uniform since 1999.

I don't really aspire to ever have the Reds acting like the Mets (I know this wasn't your point but it led me down a tangent).

Imagine having a comparable amount of success to the Reds over the last thirty years. They've got a couple more World Series losses, one less World Series win, and less playoff appearances overall.

Now imagine your market is NEW YORK CITY. Yes, you have to share that with the Yankees. Even if you gave them only a third of the market revenue of NYC, they still have more than the Reds entire market. Their payroll was 6th last year, ours was 17th and we actually considered this year a big spender year for us.

I know it's hard being a Reds fan in practically every measurable way. But looking at the Mets gave me some perspective. I could only imagine what we'd do with an extra 50% payroll.

[GAC]

Not saying it isn't a palatable idea .... but as far as Bauer is concerned, he won't resign here IMO.

[Bruce Berenyi]

A friend of mine when I lived in California negotiated the Bonilla contract , you could look it up his name is Dennis Gilbert

[Red in Atl]

Restructure would be good in ways. I hate owing money to something that doesn't help in the present though. I love Votto. He has been a great Red, and he will be in the Reds HoF oneday. But I think it's time he realizes he is not the player he was when he signed his contract. It's time to head home to the Jays and enjoy the rest of his years as a DH and sometime fielder. I think the Jays could use a cagy veteran like Votto, and the coming home of a potential HoF'er with a young club may sway.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/...offseason.html

Seems like they have some money. Obviously we'd have to chip in too. But a team like the Reds can't afford a guy who makes that kind of money unless he can produce consistently the way someone who makes that kind of money needs to be producing.