CINCINNATI -- Joey Votto got a big payday by staying in a small market, agreeing to a $251.5 million, 12-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, the longest guaranteed contract in major league history.
The agreement adds $225 million over 10 years to his previous contract. The deal includes a club option for 2024, when the 2010 National League MVP turns 41.
After watching NL Central rivals St. Louis and Milwaukee lose their first basemen to bigger markets, the Reds secured Votto with a package that easily eclipsed Ken Griffey Jr.'s $116.5 million, nine-year deal from 2000 as the largest in franchise history. In the majors, it trails only Alex Rodriguez's $275 million and $252 million deals, both over 10 years.
"Is it risky?" said owner Bob Castellini, who sought a lot of outside advice before signing off on the deal. "No doubt. That's the environment we live in, especially as a small market. We feel Joe will be a cornerstone."
It wasn't an easy decision for the 28-year-old first baseman to make such a long-term commitment. He decided he had found contentment in Cincinnati, which took him in the second round of the June 2002 draft.
"Maybe I could have found that elsewhere," Votto said. "Maybe not. But I like what I've got here."
Under Castellini, the Reds have been trying to rebuild the franchise into a regular winner by developing players and holding onto them. Six of their nine starters on opening day have come through the farm system.
Keeping Votto rather than letting him leave for a bigger market was considered a key.
"It's hard to compete with the bigger markets," manager Dusty Baker said before a workout at Great American Ball Park. "You see those guys who have left -- they couldn't come up with a deal -- and they go to bigger markets like New York, L.A., Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Anaheim.
"It means a lot not only for the franchise but also for the city. It means kids can grow up emulating him and pretending to be Joey Votto."
Albert Pujols helped St. Louis win the World Series, then got a $240 million, 10-year deal from the Angels in December. Prince Fielder led Milwaukee to the division title, but left for a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Tigers.
The Reds have been trying to lock up the young core of their team for the past few years. Outfielder Jay Bruce received a six-year, $51 million deal after the 2010 season, when Cincinnati won the division but got swept in the playoffs by Philadelphia.
Votto was offered a long-term deal then as well, but chose a $38 million, three-year contract instead. He said he's more willing to make a long-term commitment now, and joked his girlfriend probably was happy about that, too.
Votto gets base salaries of $9.5 million this year and $17 million in 2013 under his previous agreement. The new deal includes salaries of $12 million in 2014, $14 million in 2015, $20 million in 2016, $22 million in 2017 and $25 million in each of the following six seasons. The Reds have a $20 million option for 2024 with a $7 million buyout.
Votto's contract tops the 11 seasons Colorado gave Todd Helton in 2001, a deal that guaranteed him $151.45 million.
It's an aggressive move for a small-market franchise. Castellini said Votto's deal won't handcuff the franchise in keeping other players or Baker, who is entering the final year on his deal.
"What we're doing will not be to the financial detriment to the makeup of our team in the future," he said.
The Reds essentially kept their roster intact after their 2010 championship season and slipped back to third place last year. They changed strategies in the past offseason, trading for starter Mat Latos and reliever Sean Marshall while remaking their bench.
Votto is the fulcrum of an offense that is one of the most productive in the NL, playing in one of its most homer-friendly ballparks. Votto batted .324 with 37 homers and 113 RBIs in 2010, and batted .309 with 29 homers, 103 RBIs and a career-high 40 doubles last year.
Like Griffey, now it's Votto's turn to be the face of the franchise.
"It means a lot to the city to have Joey as the face of the franchise," Baker said. "He's a very good role model for the task."
Votto's shy personality came across during a news conference broadcast live to announce the deal. He practiced reading a statement beforehand, but acknowledged he was nervous. When he stumbled over a word, he joked, "There was a typo right there."
Finally, he put the paper aside and talked about how he'd react to the deal.
"I always try to do my best," he said. "I can't promise you anything going forward. I can't promise you health or promise you production. I can promise you I'll do my best."
With Votto's deal squared away, the Reds went about the business of finalizing the rest of their 25-man roster, optioning utility player Todd Frazier to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.
Cincinnati needed to open a spot for right-handed reliever Alfredo Simon, who was claimed off waivers from Baltimore a day earlier. Simon goes into a bullpen depleted by injuries.
The Reds made several anticipated moves, placing closer Ryan Madson on the 60-day disabled list with a torn elbow ligament and right-hander Nick Masset on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed pitching shoulder.
They also put right-hander Jordan Smith on the 15-day DL and selected the minor league contract of utility player Willie Harris, who agreed to a deal in January and was invited to training camp.
The Reds open at home on Thursday against the Miami Marlins.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.