Before he broke into the Major Leagues, Joey Votto had a desire to become the highest-paid Canadian baseball player. The Reds first baseman saw Larry Walker sign a six-year, $75 million deal with the Rockies in 2000. Minnesota's Justin Morneau surpassed that in 2008 with a six-year, $80 million deal. "I didn't know if it was possible, but I wanted to some day be the highest paid Canadian player," Votto said. "I'm sure Brett Lawrie feels the same way." When Votto received a 10-year, $225 million deal from Cincinnati before the season, he became Canada's richest professional athlete and the owner of the fourth-highest contract in baseball history.