Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) reacts as he walks back to the dugout after the third inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Reds announcer sounds off on Joey Votto's contract

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Gordon Dixon | Last updated 1/5/17

A few years ago, Joey Votto signed a massive contract extension with the Reds worth well over $200 million, and team broadcaster Marty Brennaman feels that was a mistake.

Brennaman, who has been a Reds broadcaster since 1974, was a host on a Cincinnati Reds radio show on WLW when a caller asked what kind of impact Votto's deal has had on the Reds. That's when Brennaman began to gather steam. After the caller brought up Bryce Harper's name, Brennaman erupted. Take a listen below.

Brennaman is certainly entitled to his opinion and he was not shy about telling us how he felt.

You can obviously make the argument that there are numerous contracts in baseball that aren't good ones for the teams involved, like the deal Albert Pujols signed with the Angels. That said, Votto has been the Reds' best player for nearly a decade, won an MVP award while with the team (before signing the extension), made four All-Star teams, and has posted some other insane statistics.

The Reds have not performed well over the last few years (208-278 since 2014). That said, they have bigger issues than Votto's contract considering he has largely performed well in relation to what he has been paid annually to this point. Unfortunately, as the highest paid player (his deal came to 12 years for $251.5 million), Votto will always have a target on his back, fair or unfair.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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