Jays may want to sign Votto as a free agent in 2013

[UN-Owen]

How does anybody even know Votto will be a FA in 2 years. Thats a big risk considering he could easily sign an extension anytime from now and then.

Most big name players test the open market as a FA

That's just how she goes

[Skin Blues]

No they don't. Most big name players sign extensions that delay their free agency. Looking back over past dozen or so MVPs (Pujols, Verlander, Rollins, Braun, Pedroia, Mauer, Hamilton, etc) the only one that went straight to free agency was A-Rod.

[UN-Owen]

No they don't. Most big name players sign extensions that delay their free agency. Looking back over past dozen or so MVPs (Pujols, Verlander, Rollins, Braun, Pedroia, Mauer, Hamilton, etc) the only one that went straight to free agency was A-Rod.

2 of the players on that list were free-agents this offseason (Pujols and Rollins)

And Mauer re-signed with his hometown team, which grossly overpaid for his services because they were opening a new stadium

[satyr9]

No they don't. Most big name players sign extensions that delay their free agency. Looking back over past dozen or so MVPs (Pujols, Verlander, Rollins, Braun, Pedroia, Mauer, Hamilton, etc) the only one that went straight to free agency was A-Rod.

2 of the players on that list were free-agents this offseason (Pujols and Rollins)

And Mauer re-signed with his hometown team, which grossly overpaid for his services because they were opening a new stadium

But they weren't free agents at a similar period in their career in relation to Votto's situation. Pujols and Rollins both re-upped before hitting FA after 6 years and are only on the market now as those contracts have run out.

Skin's point is that most high profile stars get their extension done before they hit FA the first time because their team want them, are willing to pay the full FA price, and they don't have to wait an extra year or two, risking injury, to get their financial security.

No one's arguing that good players test FA, but the best young players, far more often than not, re-up before they hit the market 'cause they can get their dollars without having to wait and keep their fingers crossed.

[Skin Blues]

No they don't. Most big name players sign extensions that delay their free agency. Looking back over past dozen or so MVPs (Pujols, Verlander, Rollins, Braun, Pedroia, Mauer, Hamilton, etc) the only one that went straight to free agency was A-Rod.

2 of the players on that list were free-agents this offseason (Pujols and Rollins)

And Mauer re-signed with his hometown team, which grossly overpaid for his services because they were opening a new stadium

Yeah, they're free agents eventually, but most of them chose to delay free agency by signing an extension. Nobody is saying Votto will never ever be a free agent in his whole career, they're saying there's a good chance he won't be a free agent in 2013. Which is why you can't just say "these 9 players will all be free agents in 2 seasons so we should wait for them instead of setting for the guy whose a free agent right now".

[Chevy Chase]

Jays should sign Fielder this year as a way of inciting Votto to take their offer in two years. Then they might not need to have the best cash offer as a chance to compete + hometown discount could put their offer over the top.