CINCINNATI — Joey Votto powered the Reds to their first playoff appearance in 15 years, winning the NL MVP award for a breakthrough season. For his efforts, the first baseman earned a raise.
Votto, 27, agreed to a $38 million, three-year contract with Cincinnati, buying out his arbitration years and giving the reigning NL Central champions some short-term budget security.
A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press about the deal Sunday on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been announced.
Votto was a first-time all-star in 2010, finishing second in the NL in batting average at .324 and third in homers (37) and RBIs (113). He led the NL in slugging percentage (.600), topped the major leagues in on-base percentage (.424) and had 16 stolen bases in 21 chances. He made $525,000 last year.
Hamilton out of hospital
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Rangers said AL MVP Josh Hamilton was discharged from an Arlington hospital, five days after he was admitted for treatment of an early case of pneumonia.
Hamilton hit a majors-leading .359 with 32 homers and 100 RBIs last season for the AL champion Rangers.
Footnotes.
The Athletics agreed to terms with free- agent lefty reliever Brian Fuentes, 35, on a two-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The AP.
Fuentes, a former Rockie, was 4-1 with 24 saves and a 2.81 ERA in 48 appearances and 48 innings with the Angels and Twins in 2010.
• The Twins and infielder Alexi Casilla agreed to a one-year, $865,000 contract, avoiding salary arbitration.
• Reliever Carlos Villanueva, 28, and the Blue Jays agreed to a $1.42 million, one-year contract. Villanueva was 2-0 last season.
The AP
