Bruce, Cairo, and the Boston Red Sox

Huge news out of Reds country. Not "Joey Votto just signed a long term deal" huge, but huge nonetheless. The Reds locked up Jay Bruce to a six year, $51 million deal. They also hold an option for a seventh year that would bring the contract to $63 million. And of course there are bonuses included that he could hit based on performances. At the end of the day, though, Bruce took less money in order to sign a long term deal in Cincinnati. That's the key. Jay Bruce wanted to stay here. Both were willing to sign a deal now, and keep Bruce from hitting arbitration and making big time money. Now the Reds will keep Jay for the majority of his prime, and the Reds have showed they want to keep this team together long term. Not to mention he hasn't even tapped into all of his potential. Remember, Bruce was the top prospect for this franchise, and has every tool in the book to be a superstar. If the final month and a half of the season was any indication, he will be. Bruce may also be the key piece in getting Votto to sign here. Joey, though, is a littler older than Bruce, and both sides would probably be looking to sign a 4 year deal, not the 6 year deal Jay got. But now that one of Votto's good friends will be here in the future, he may be more inclined to stay. Also, the Reds have begun to work out a deal with Johnny Cueto to keep him here long term, and avoid arbitration.

Another important contract was given to utility man Miguel Cairo, who signed a 2 year $2 million deal. Cairo proved to be extremely valuable last year, when Rolen needed a day off, or when Votto was injured from time to time. He can play around the infield, and did a good job working the count and keeping the line moving last year. Cairo is a professional hitter that is an asset in the Reds' clubhouse. For a utility player, he was just as important to the club's success last year as a lot of other players. Remember, Cairo hit .429 when Votto went down a neck neck injury in late May. The return of his presence (and hopefully Arthur Rhodes') will keep the team stabilized going throughout the 162 game grind.

Finally, if you haven't heard, the Boston Red Sox are making waves in the AL East. After letting third baseman Adrian Beltre walk, they traded for superstar first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, formerly of the San Diego Padres. This means Kevin Youkilis will move back across the diamond to third base, to make room for the Gold Glover. Then, they signed superstar left fielder Carl Crawford to a 7 year $142 million deal. These two moves make the Boston Red Sox the prohibitive favorites to win the World Series in my mind. They nearly made the playoffs last year with an encyclopedia of injuries to their players. When healthy, they have a strong defense, with an offense that can slug, slash, and run. They also have a strong rotation, backed by aces Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester. Even if the Yankees sign Cliff Lee, the Red Sox have become the best team in the AL East, and probably all of baseball.