Reds sign first baseman Joey Votto

The Cincinnati Reds and first baseman Joey Votto have agreed to a three-year extension worth 38 million dollars, according to MLB.com. Votto is coming off a career year, but more importantly, coming off three consecutive years of improving on previous years totals. 

Votto hit .324 with 37 home runs and a .424 OBP in 150 games this past season. He drove in a career high 113 runs and he struck out 125 times but walked an impressive 91 times. He has proven to be a cornerstone of the teams offense and a team leader on the field. Oh yeah, and he was the NL MVP this season. 

The deal buys out Votto's final arbitration years, which is nice financially for them, but he is just 27 and will have a massive contract waiting for him in three years when he is just 30 years old with at least five good years ahead of him.

The Reds lineup is going to be even stronger than it was last year. Votto is healthy and expected to put up similar numbers, but someone to keep a closer eye on is outfielder Jay Bruce. 

Bruce had a strong campaign in 2010, posting a .281 average and 25 home runs, but his best has yet to come. Bruce has been the poster child for Reds prospects since the memorable 2005 MLB draft. He's been in the league for three years and his power has been decent, but everything is just starting to fall into place for the perennial All-Star.