Report: Joey Votto and Cincinnati Reds Are Close on Big Extension

Joey Votto and the Reds are close on a huge extension reports Ben Nicholson-Smith of MLBtraderumors.com.

No deal is officially in place, but there doesn't seem to be anything in the way of Votto becoming a very rich man.

Fellow first basemen Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols cashed in with big contracts this offseason. Now, Votto could be joining them in the $200 million club.

The deal will reportedly keep Votto in a Reds' uniform for the foreseeable future.

Votto will already earn $26.5 million through 2013 because of the extension he signed last winter. That value could potentially be close to his average annual haul in the new deal.

The 2010 MVP is definitely deserving of a large contract. He is one of the brightest young stars in today's game and somebody who is expected to produce for years to come.

This deal looks to kill all talks of a Brandon Phillips extension, as the Reds will be dishing out a large amount of money to Votto.

Phillips could look to come back to the team at a reduced rate during the offseason, but it's unlikely that he'll accept a hometown discount.

Only four contract have surpassed $200 million in major league history. Fielder and Pujols signed two of them this offseason, while Alex Rodriguez has hit that mark twice.

All in all, this is great news for the Reds.