Joey Votto understands Brandon Phillips' comments about contract

Joey Votto is OK with comments Brandon Phillips made about Votto's contract. (Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto said he is OK with comments teammate Brandon Phillips made about Votto's 10-year, $225 million contract, according to an Associated Press report.

In the upcoming issue of Cincinnati Magazine, Phillips said he is "still scarred" that the front office gave Votto a lengthy extension. Phillips thought his days with the Reds were numbered because he was entering the final year of his contract when Votto received his deal. According to Phillips, Reds GM Walt Jocketty and owner Bob Castellini told Phillips they didn't have money for an extension for Phillips. Phillips would later agree to a five-year extension worth $72.5 million.

Phillips' comments about Votto's extension:

"Do I feel like they lied to me?" Phillips said. "If someone tells me they don't have no money and you find $200 million somewhere, what does that sound like? You tell me. I'm very happy for Joey, don't get me wrong. I'm happy for everything that happened to Joey. I thought for myself, I was done. I was mad that I thought I wasn't going to be a Cincinnati Red anymore."

Votto responded by saying he as a tremendous amount of respect for Phillips and he likes him even more for his comments because of his honesty. Votto and Phillips both represented the Reds in the All-Star game this past week.

Votto's response to Phillips' comments:

"What he said has nothing to do with me, but what he had to say makes me like him even more. He's honest. Most players stick to using catch phrases — like I'm doing now — but he will tell you how he feels at that moment."