Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips told John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that he hopes to stay in Cincinnati, where he established himself as an MLB star. Just don’t expect him to give the Reds a hometown discount if they want to talk extension this offseason.
“No bueno,” he said. “This is my last contract. There’s no homeboy hookup. That ain’t going to work. I want to be paid what I’m worth.”
The Reds can sidestep questions about Phillips’ long-term role on the team by exercising their $12MM option for the 30-year-old’s services in 2012. Though Phillips told MLB.com's Mark Sheldon this month that it would feel like “a slap in my face” if the Reds pick up the option without talking long-term deal, that remains a perfectly viable option for the team.
Phillips says he’s glad Reds GM Walt Jocketty expects to have him back in 2012 and that he hasn’t heard anything official about his option for next year. The sides have had some talks about an extension and, as MLBTR's Tim Dierkes suggested this morning, a backloaded deal might work for the Reds given their limited financial flexibility heading into 2012.
I don’t really follow Phillips’ activities, but that is one of the top ten quotes ever to show up on MLBTR. I’m going to have to start sneaking “There’s no homeboy hookup” into regular conversation.
He’s probably the only major leaguer that treats interviews just like a normal conversation. I would say Nyjer Morgan does too but I feel like he gets crazier in interviews
wow i wonder what he thinks he is worth. Probably something outragous
Given the long history of 2B who fell off a cliff in their early-mid 30’s, I would happily let somebody else pay for his decline phase.
Hes a .280+ hitter with power to hit 20hrs and CAN be a lead-off hitter. Not to mention the plays hes been making with consistency at 2B the last couple years has probably saved us a handful of runs.
We have some good talent coming up but I think 3-4 more years with Phillips, with 1-2 of those years with him a mentor to one of the younger guys would be perfect. I want to keep Votto too but everything said to this point and just a feeling I have makes me think that’s not going to happen so getting Phillips would be a nice gesture to keep some leadership on the team.
He’s hit over .280 exactly twice in ten years. He’s hit more than 18 HR exactly twice. And he’s old for the position. And you want a guy with this kind of me-first attitude to mentor young players? Why not just send them to the Hanley Ramirez Academy of Team Spirit?
He’s old for the position? Based on what statistics? What and who are you referring to that is so much younger than Phillips?
And you obviously didn’t look up statistics — 2007 – 30 HR, 2008 – 21, 2009 – 20, 2010 – 18, and he has 18 for 2011 too. Your .280 figure is correct, and his best BA year is 2011, by the way.
Get your crap straight and make comments that actually follow statistics. I’m thanking you ahead of time.
Oops! My mistake — he DID hit more than 18 HR three times, instead of twice. Those two additional HR should be worth a mammoth contract, right?
As for the decline in second basemen after 30, I tried to post you a link to an article concerning that, but Disqus has a proprietary policy about letting one post links, so you can Google the title of the following article and read it yourself. I’ll just post the beginning, which states the essential — second basemen do historically decline after 30:
Brian Roberts and the Aging of Second Basemen
Concern has been mounting over Brian Roberts’ back as he has been held
out of several practices. He has downplayed the severity of this
injury. This typically would not be of much concern were it not for two
issues:
Historically, second basemen fall apart in their early thirties.Last year, Roberts was injured during Spring Training and similarly
played down concerns over an injury that wound up shutting him down for
the majority of the season.
In this post, I would like to establish what could be expected from
a population of second basemen who performed similarly to Roberts over
their Age 27 to 31 seasons and how that population performed from Age 32
to 36. I took this population from players whose Age 27 to 31 seasons
occurred from 1950 to 2005 and who generated a WAR of 12 to 22. This
group includes Bobby Grich, Davey Johnson, Robby Thompson, Chuck
Knoblauch, Lou Whitaker, Dick McAuliffe, Ray Durham, Johnny Ray, Bill
Doran, Willie Randolph, Ron Hunt, Damion Easley, Tom Herr, and Johnny
Temple. As a group they had an OPS+ of 109 +/- 8, a WAR of 16.6 +/-
3.3, an OBP of .360, and a SLG of .401. Brian Roberts, during his age
27 to 31 years, had an OPS of 115, a WAR of 17.9, an OBP of .369, and a
SLG of .451.
After the jump, a run through of graphs showing what can be expected in
terms of plate appearances, WAR, chance of being an average player, and
chance of remaining in the Majors.
_______________________
What? No comment, robdicken? Didn’t bother to read the article that proved the point? How about this, then, from Dave Cameron at Fangraphs?
______________________
“In fact, the rate of aging among second baseman has been so severe that it has become a truism in baseball that players who man the keystone position simply don’t age well. Theories on the causes of this phenomenon often hinge around the beating second baseman can take while turning the double play, as they often have to guard the bag with their back to an oncoming baserunner intent on breaking up the twin killing.”
All you could come up with was my mistaken tally of the number of seasons that Phillips hit more than 18 HR — one additional season in which he hit 20. Wow. How about this? You go ahead and refute the above information about the aging of second baseman. You shot off your mouth like it wasn’t true — now prove that it isn’t.
This guy used select second basemen to support his argument over 130 years of baseball? What about Roberto Alomar? Joe Morgan? Rod Carew? Nellie Fox? Jackie Robinson? Ryne Sandberg? Rogers Hornsby? Red Schoendienst? Jay Bell? He conveniently left people out that performed at the level that Phillips does on a consistent basis. Those mentioned in the article…do/did not.
It’s a nice research by the author, but it doesn’t mean anything because of the loopholes. As I said before, Phillips is worth Rickie Weeks money. Nothing more than that, though.
He used select second basemen, and so did you. Joe Morgan, for instance, is an anomaly — a second baseman who got better after age 30; he peaked at 32, but then he fell off a cliff two years later.
But what Cameron is talking about is the trend, not a handful of exceptions. If you think Phillips is going to be an exception, fine. You could be right. I just don’t see the sense in betting against the trend in his case, especially when he manifests so little regard for loyalty to the franchise.
So then what you’re saying is that there really isn’t enough information to support either side of the argument? Or are you? This is where the confusion kicks in…
A trend would indicate that this is happening consistently within the Major Leagues, but you yourself also indicated that it was select second basemen, then said again that it wasn’t a handful of exceptions. So…again, I am confused….what is it? A handful of exceptions/anomalies that have fell off after age 30? Or, a handful of exceptions that haven’t?
Second base is a historically non-offensive position. Go look up those that are within the hall of fame. Not a single one has hit above 301 home runs throughout their career. That’s pending Jeff Kent being inducted, of course. So if they sign him to a 4 year deal, is it safe to say he will increase in production or decrease in production? Neither side has sufficient enough evidence to support either argument, but based on his last few years, I would be willing to take the wager that he will be just fine.
“A trend would indicate that this is happening consistently within the
Major Leagues, but you yourself also indicated that it was select second
basemen, then said again that it wasn’t a handful of exceptions.
So…again, I am confused….what is it? A handful of
exceptions/anomalies that have fell off after age 30? Or, a handful of
exceptions that haven’t?”
You seem to be confused because you’re apparently conflating two articles into one.
The article entitled “Brian Roberts and the Aging of Second Basemen” was authored by Jon Shepherd at Camden Depot.
This statement — “In fact, the rate of aging among second baseman has been so severe that
it has become a truism in baseball that players who man the keystone
position simply don’t age well. Theories on the causes of this
phenomenon often hinge around the beating second baseman can take while
turning the double play, as they often have to guard the bag with their
back to an oncoming baserunner intent on breaking up the twin killing.” — is from an article entitled “How Will Chase Utley Age,” by Dave Cameron, the founder of Fangraphs.
Cameron is a stats maven who’s generally very careful with his analyses. I’d therefore be willing to wager that he wouldn’t have made that statement if the overwhelming evidence didn’t warrant it.
Not being a Reds fan, I had to do some reading to find out whom the franchise might have in the prospect pipeline. I discovered a January 2011 MLB article that called Billy Hamilton the Number 3 second base prospect in baseball:
“3. Billy Hamilton, Reds: Any time a player steals 48 bases in a
rookie-level, short-season league, it’s time to sit up and take notice.
He uses his plus-plus speed on both sides of the ball, and while he’s
got the range to play short, he’s probably better suited for second
base. He’s not going to be a power guy, but with his strike-zone
knowledge and speed, he should be a dangerous leadoff hitter in the
future.”
Hamilton isn’t a heavy-hitter; but you don’t care all that much about offense at the position, so that shouldn’t bother you. Hamilton stole 103 bags in A-ball this year. He’s only 21 and needs more seasoning, but maybe Mr. Jocketty has misgivings about blocking the position for four or five years with an aging, declining player with a me-first attitude, eh?
“You seem to be confused because you’re apparently conflating two articles into one.”
No, I am talking about what you wrote above. You contradicted what you were saying two different times.
Nonetheless, I tend to play the Devil’s Advocate with this situation. There isn’t supporting evidence that says 100% that Brandon Phillips will “age and decline” next year, in 2013, or even in 2014. So far, according to his statistics, it hasn’t happened yet. In the meantime, until Billy Hamilton is ready, we need someone to man the position who saves runs. Brandon Phillips DOES that. Dropping a multi-time gold glover because you have a dude in A-ball stealing a ton of bases, is not wise. Let’s face it, there’s much more to the game of baseball than just stealing bases. A 2-4 year deal would be fine from the Reds standpoint as an organization.
“No, I am talking about what you wrote above. You contradicted what you were saying two different times.”
No, you’re just resorting, again, to intellectual and rhetorical dishonesty. I posted an article that detailed the decline of a number of players at the position. You went and cherry-picked a handful of second basemen and used that selection as an excuse for an argument against the author’s findings.
I also posted a general statement by Dave Cameron to the effect that, overall, second basemen do decline more rapidly than players at other positions. You posted no evidence to refute that statement; you just stated erroneously that I had contradicted myself.
“There isn’t supporting evidence that says 100% that Brandon Phillips
will ‘age and decline’ next year, in 2013, or even in 2014.”
What an absurd statement. What statistical evidence is ever presented as a proposition of 100% certitude? Did I ever state categorically that Phillips was bound to decline, or did I state that decline past the age of 30 was the trend among second basemen? Again, the dishonesty.
” A 2-4 year deal would be fine from the Reds standpoint as an organization.”
Brandon doesn’t want a two-year deal. He said he wants to retire as a Red, and he views this as his last contract. Unless he plans to retire in two years, he’s not thinking about accepting a two-year deal.
“No, you’re just resorting, again, to intellectual and rhetorical dishonesty.”
Really? So the following is intellectual and rhetorical dishonesty?
“He used select second basemen, and so did you.”
So, you never said that?^^^
“But what Cameron is talking about is the trend, not a handful of exceptions.”
^^^ And you never said that? What is not contradicting about those two sentences literally iterated a few sentences apart in a response you made above?
“I posted an article that detailed the decline of a number of players at
the position. You went and cherry-picked a handful of second basemen
and used that selection as an excuse for an argument against the
author’s findings.”
So based on what you said above (that I’ve pointed out for you), you went ahead and AGAIN pointed out that the article you have provided is just as “cherry-picked” as the ones I provided. If you deny this, then you’re might as well retract all of your previous comments. You ARE contradicting yourself.
“I also posted a general statement by Dave Cameron to the effect that,
overall, second basemen do decline more rapidly than players at other
positions. You posted no evidence to refute that statement; you just
stated erroneously that I had contradicted myself.”
No, not at all. I’m not saying the Brandon Phillips won’t decline with age, because all players do. I’m just pointing out that the article you provided grabbed a select number of second basemen of 130 years and came to a conclusion that their numbers decline once they hit over 30 years old. I pointed out that many second baseman’s numbers did not. You then made the contradictory effort to point out that both the author and myself made a select number of second basemen selections to make our arguments, but somehow this author was right and you labeled it a “trend.” Couldn’t mind be labeled a “trend?” Your logic, in itself, doesn’t make sense.
“Did I ever state categorically that
Phillips was bound to decline, or did I state that decline past the age
of 30 was the trend among second basemen? Again, the dishonesty.”
Yes, you did. Shall I point out where you said that again? Ok, here we go — “But what Cameron is talking about is the trend, not a handful of exceptions.” You’re using this as your argument, therefore you must think it’s true and believe it. You keep mentioning that, “maybe Mr. Jocketty has misgivings about blocking the position for
four or five years with an aging, declining player with a me-first
attitude, eh?” <— Did you not say that as well?
It seems you're confused as well. You say something, then say you didn't say it. Look, I'm not real keen on the selective amnesia that people seemingly get on a regular basis in real life, so I will just leave the argument at that.
What a shameless display of rhetorical contortions. You’re a waste of time, tar baby. Bye.
Right, because you never said any of that stuff. Such malarkey! We must live in different dimensions! 😮
I guarantee that we do, thank God.
I know! But in this dimension we like to admit to the things we say, and not refer to the them as “rhetorical contortions.” We usually refer to them (the people who like to lie) as “walking abortions.”
It took you a quarter of an hour to come up with that.
You’re evidently a very angry person. That much was clear from your first post. Again, I thank God I don’t live in the same dimension as you.
Bye again, tar baby.
That would probably be because I don’t sit lurking, waiting, and trolling around for people to write me back like you do, Mr. Internet Warrior. Are you l33t? A h4x0R? Don’t try to “pwned” me with your amazing typing skills!
Not angry at all. Just pointing out the inconsistencies with your argument, which were plenty. I’ve pooped a better supporting argument than what you’ve came up with. Some crack-pot theory on deterioration of second basemen based on a few hand-picked people over a 130 year period? LOL
And stop using the Briar Rabbit references. They’re not intellectual or even remotely humorous. Thanks!
“Briar Rabbit”?
really this is your last contract. what happens if it only a one year deal?
I’d give him Dan Uggla money. If he balks at it, let him walk. Not the player I’d have clogging up my limited payroll
Can’t have it both ways.
Phillips would feel disrespected if the organization simply exercised their contractual right for his option year. So the team follows through with an agreement that both parties made and that is a “slap in the face”.
Then Phillips says that he won’t give any consideration to his team in terms of a discount in price or years.
What a tool.
If I’m running the Reds I exercise the option and that’s it. If Phillips has a down year or injury filled year you are in a better position to negotiate an extension in 2012 at a much lower rate than what he would want now. If he has an up year then you trade him (if you are out of contention) or keep him through the end of the year and offer him arb or negotiate a long term deal then. By his own admission he won’t be giving you a discount so why take on the extra risk by signing him to a long term deal a year earlier than you need to.
Phillips is a nice ballplayer but man does he have a big mouth.
“Phillips would feel disrespected if the organization simply exercised their contractual right for his option year. So the team follows through with an agreement that both parties made and that is a “slap in the face”.”
And nobody would care. The same imaginary drama cropped up with David Ortiz last year, but he still put up his best season in years this year.
it was the right call because it made big papi get back to his old self. There are certain players that play better on contract years, like for example, Adrian Beltre
I’m not a huge Beltre fan, but I do think his contract year status is being blown out of proportion. The guy is hitting .288 with 28 hrs and just short of 100 rbis and a .541 slugging right now. He’s always been good with the glove, and from what I recall he just signed that contract with Texas…
he also went from Safeco, which kills power for righty pull hitters, to Fenway and then Arlington. that played a factor as well.
Bulls eye!! My sentiments exactly! I’m amazed that with so little leverage, he would make a statement that could alienate an organization like Cincy, that doesn’t throw money around.Where’s his agent?
Yes, what a tool for wanting mor money.
I didn’t say anything about his desire to earn more money. Reread my post. What I said was:
1. He considers it a slap in the face if the team exercises their mutually agreed upon option. In essence he is asking the team for a concession.
2. Then he turns around and says that he won’t take ANY discount. In essence he is not willing to give the team any concessions.
That makes him a tool.
If he doesn’t want to play in Cinci next year then he shouldn’t have signed the contract.
Better yet, even if he thinks those things he should have just kept his mouth shut. This ploy about being disrespected is old and tired.
“this is my last contract” lol delirious of grandeur. He is 30, not a bad player, gold glove 2B, good bat not great. If he thinks he is gonna get an 8 year or 10 year deal he is crazy, and he should be happy to be making 12 million per year. First off the best he should get is a 4 year deal, 12 mill per year. 4 years 48 million, if he wants more let that arrogant dude leave
I think you mean “datarrogantdudebp”
“I want to be paid what I’m worth.”
Sure about that? You’ll be 31 next June, guy, and 2011 was the first full season of your career that you surpassed a pedestrian .332 OBP. Your career line — .271/.320/.433/.753 — doesn’t scream “major talent.”
Sounds like somebody takes his mom’s opinion too seriously.
Who’s got much of a better career line in the National League? Uggla, Utley, Weeks (by .037 total)? None of them match up to his defensive skills, which save runs. Weeks signed a contract for 4 years/$38.5 million. Who’s to say that Phillips isn’t worth something like that? If he balks at that, then he’s definitely delusional.
Oh, and Utley isn’t worth his money. He’s injured way too much.
Why limit it to the NL? Oh, yeah…because if you include AL second basemen, he goes from being first in WAR this year to sixth at the position.
Is he one of the best NL second basemen? Sure. Is second base a strong offensive position in the NL this year? No.
If you want your front office to saddle the franchise with an excessive contract to a player who’s likely to decline (especially once he’s got his “last contract” in the bank), be my guest. I’d love to see it. And I’ll expect you to be among the first to btch about what a stupid contract it was.
you’re clearly a hater. are you a STL fan by any chance?
Phillips, while i agree is certainly overrated (READ: i dont like the guy), has averaged 4.3 WAR over the last 5 years. also averaged 4.3 over the last 3 years. and his two most recent seasons have been very good. the guy is only 30 years old and there’s nothing to suggest he’s going to drop off, especially considering his last two seasons, outside of some magical age dropoff you are applying to him. yes, i understand fully that history does not stand in his favor, but even if he drops to 80% of that production, he’s worth about 3.5 WAR. if you value 1 WAR at $4mil, that’s $14 mil/year
he’s obviously not going to break 100mil. i think he’s gunning for about 4/60. and i don’t think he’s even gonna get that. and while unreasonable in my opinion, that certainly is not going to saddle a franchise. i’d also like to point out that Cincy fans, despite these comments, LOVE the guy. he helps put butts in the seats.
also, before you take this as an attack, i think we agree more than we disagree. i’m just pointing out that it’s not as big of a deal as you are taking your time to make it seem
I’m a Mets fan, not involved in the rivalry between the Cards and Reds. I just don’t like Phillips’ inflated opinion of his worth and his flippant dismissal of any notion of loyalty towards the franchise that’s made him rich. Before you say “the guy is only 30 years old,” you should read up on the history of second basemen breaking down in their early thirties. I’ll requote Dave Cameron, the founder of Fangraphs:
“”In fact, the rate of aging among second baseman has been so severe that
it has become a truism in baseball that players who man the keystone
position simply don’t age well. Theories on the causes of this
phenomenon often hinge around the beating second baseman can take while
turning the double play, as they often have to guard the bag with their
back to an oncoming baserunner intent on breaking up the twin killing.”
How can I like this comment multiple times???
Wow. Go huff some more glue.
What? That was an awful responds… did you think it out?
i wonder if i can tell my boss next time its time for a raise, no homeboy hook-up?….that is a good one,i like it
If you’re an asset to your company, as Phillips is, do it.
ill try it, why not??
Reds should exercise the option and then trade him. The $12M could be used for what they actually need to be contenders.
Not Really I would think it would put a pretty big hole at 2nd Base. Who is going to replace him Valakia not….. Don’t you dare say Paul Janish.
And who would they get for $12 million that would propel them into contention automatically that is going to be a free agent this year that they have room for on the field? Who would replace Phillips’s defensive skills?
If he considers the team option “a slap in the face,” he probably should not have agreed to a contract that provided the team option. He agreed to the Reds having their choice to exercise or not exercise a one-year $12MM option, so don’t complain about it now.
And I like BP too – his good-natured razzing of the Cardinals has added to the rivalry. I just think he’s out of line here regarding the option year.
Short lived rivalry!!! Reds are a sinking ship!
Really? We’ve had injuries this year and didn’t trade away our whole team (like the Cards did) to get rental players and STILL may not even make it to the playoffs. Good lord…go dive into an empty swimming pool head first!
Your insults are really bad man.. at least google something halfway decent. You’re obviously bitter because your Reds had a fluke year last year and somehow made the playoffs but completely embarrassed themselves. The Reds are the same team as they were last year… they will NOT make the playoffs in at least another decade as long as the Cards and Brewers are in the division. Get over it. Go watch the Bengals…oh no no wait they are awful too.. maybe your hockey team?? No No your city is too worthless .. Basketball.. nope. I guess just go back to playing video games in your mothers basement or just keep editing peoples comments on here.
Wait…
So they have the same team as they did last year, but their rotation isn’t the same, they had Jonny Gomes fall off a cliff, Scott Rolen hurt all year, and don’t have a shortstop. Somehow that’s the same? Smoke crack much?
With their youth (which the Cards don’t have), the Reds are SET for playoff contention next year and in the future. The Cards have to acquire players as rentals every year because they don’t have guys that can play 3B, SS, 2B, and an outfield position good on a regular basis. When one of your starting outfielders is Lance Berkman, defensively…you’re hurting.
The Reds, outside of shortstop and 3B, have a good defensive team. They won 3 gold gloves as a team last year. When was the last time the Cards did that?
I suppose The Rams are good? Last time they were good, Marshall Faulk was the running back. And what professional basketball team does St. Louis have? And why does our city need a Hockey Team when the Columbus Blue Jackets are literally 1 1/2 hours away?
Dude…you debate like a 12-year old. I have nephews that could roll you up and smoke you faster than Cheech. Run off and go play on the playground before you make me angry.
Jon Jay, Allen Craig, Adron Chambers, Jamie Garcia, Shelby Miller… No youth? Really? And I bet none of they players have stole $50 worth of Affliction shirts either.
Lance Berkman played very well in RF this yera… where have you been?
I cant remember a year where a Cardinal did not win a gold glove. Not going to take the time to look up when the last time they one 3 in one season but my guess in a few years back when WE WON the World Series. Possibly when Rolen was a Cardinal and was good, Jim Edmonds, and Yadi.
Rams are beat up with a very hard schedule this year but I bet they will still win their division. Bengals havnt done anything in the past 2 decades. Yes your city needs a hockey team because your other sports teams are worthless. St. Louis had the Hawks at one point but the NBA is a joke such as yourself.
Im glad to hear that you nephews are potheads, show your a great uncle.
You have 5 young players on your team? WOW! Really? That’s unbelievable! Try this: Juan Francisco, Zach Cozart, Yonder Alonso, Devin Mesaroco, Jay Bruce (only 25), Drew Stubbs, Todd Frazier, Chris Heisey, Chris Valaika, Dave Sappelt, Aroldis Chapman, Mike Leake…this list goes on an on!
Mike Leake never stole them either, he went in for an exchange, the line was too long, he stuck his shirts back on the shelf, and took the others in return. It was stupid, but he wasn’t stealing them. That’s like me using LaRussa’s shingles or Cueto kicking LaRue in the head as an arguement as to why The Cardinals suck.
Lance Berkman played well in RF? Compared to whom? I saw him get smoked about 2-3 times in one game by balls hit over his head by Reds players. If that happened in one game…how many times did that happen throughout the year? His field coverage is HORRENDOUS. Someone check his ZONE.
I never said “A gold glove,” I said THREE. And to add that on, a guy who also won the MVP in the same year. When has that happened last?
The Bengals have went to the playoffs 2 times within the past 5 years. What about those Rams?
The teams are worthless? I’ll give you The Bengals, but the Reds have won multiple World Series titles. They’re the oldest team in major league baseball…the first team ever constructed. Do you even think before you speak?
Good lord, I used that smoking reference as a metaphor…
We have plenty of young talent on the team..If you are going for 25 and under I could give you a list as well. Yes are team right now is a bit on the older side but were not eliminated from the playoffs. We have also been plagued with injuries this year.
Is that really what happened to Leake? Where you shopping with him? Or is that a cover up to make him look like he has half a brain?
Yes Berkman has played very well in RF, do some research. 1 game out of 162 means nothing.
I guarantee there has been a year where the Cards have had 3 gold gloves in one year but thats not even that huge of a reward.. its like a silver slugger award..Who cares. When is the last time you had a pitcher win a Cy Young?? Carp has and Wainwright will. Get off your high horse. Oh, you want to talk MVPs?? Have you heard of Albert Pujols?
“The Bengals have went to the playoffs 2 times within the past 5 years.” Great! And they did absolutely nothing when they got there. The Rams have only been in STL for 15 years and we have already won a Super Bowl and went again the following year. If it wasnt for the Pats cheating we probably would have won again. Even Palmer went crazy playing in Cincinnati.
Multiple World Series huh? 5, they have won 5 World Series. The Cardinals… they have won 10 World Series and the Reds have “been around longer”.
Do think before I speak? Yes, I also think before I type. Im not talking to my computer buddy.
“Is that really what happened to Leake? Where you shopping with him? Or
is that a cover up to make him look like he has half a brain? ”
It was reported by the team as this, by the store he “stole” from, and it was also decided in court amongst other things. Do research, read up, and don’t be a retard.
“Yes Berkman has played very well in RF, do some research. 1 game out of 162 means nothing.”
He has a .978 fielding percentage in the OF this year. That’s not very good. Also, he has a Total Zone of -19 and a fielding percentage of .972 in RF. You are delusional if you think he has been fine in the outfield this year.
“I guarantee there has been a year where the Cards have had 3 gold gloves
in one year but thats not even that huge of a reward.. its like a
silver slugger award..Who cares.”
What? How does gold and silver equate each other? The silver slugger is like the runner up to the MVP and Gold Glove Awards. How are they the same? LOL
“When is the last time you had a pitcher win a Cy Young?? Carp has and
Wainwright will. Get off your high horse. Oh, you want to talk MVPs??
Have you heard of Albert Pujols?”
Carp hasn’t been the same since shoulder surgery. He had one good year, but he’s been busted up the last few, especially by the Reds this year…and they supposedly stink! Wainwright is coming off shoulder surgery too. What makes you even remotely think he’s gonna be Cy Young material when he recovers?
And who’s to say Pujols will even be a Cardinal next year. When he leaves, what happens then? Who you have to replace him with that oh so great young talent?
You’re make half-witted attempts at baseball knowledge here.
“Multiple World Series huh? 5, they have won 5 World Series. The
Cardinals… they have won 10 World Series and the Reds have “been
around longer”.”
So because the Reds have won 5 world series titles, that makes them a crappy franchise? That doesn’t make sense. The Reds had arguably the BEST baseball team even assembled in The Big Red Machine. How many times has it been said like that about the Cards? Hmmmm? Go ahead…name me a year.
This is useless…I cannot continue to argue with a dimwit. Go back to making your crayon drawings, little man.
Reading that was a total waste of time. Im going to make this short.. because Ive
obviously managed to make you cry. Cardinals are a more successful team than the Reds, period. Thats a fact. History proves this. I must have hit a nerve when I called you a small person earlier. I know you cant help but its funny.
Oh, and what makes me think Wainwright can win a Cy Young after Tommy John? Chris Carpenter won a Cy Young after Tommy John.
And stop using “LOL”… its g*y
“Reading that was a total waste of time.”
Then why did you read it, dummy?
“Im going to make this short.. because Ive obviously managed to make you cry.”
Your spelling and grammar mistakes make special education children jump with excitement. And those aren’t tears…they’re drops of blood because my eyes bleed from reading your childish ranting, “OOOOOO TEH CARDS ROOL DEWD!!!”
“Cardinals are a more successful team than the Reds, period. Thats a fact. History proves this.”
If that’s a fact, why do you need to come onto every topic about a Reds player and downgrade the player, the team, the city, and the people that support the team? If they are so much better, why the need? I know why…because you’re a friggin’ baby just like the rest of Cardinals fans.
“Oh, and what makes me think Wainwright can win a Cy Young after Tommy John? Chris Carpenter won a Cy Young after Tommy John.”
Ummmmm….Carpenter won the Cy Young in 2006. He came back from surgery in 2009. Are you that completely out of touch with baseball that you can’t get facts right about your own team? For christ sakes, anyone with the brain of a guppy can take 5 minutes to Google something. Try it next time!
And just like Carpenter, Wainwright won’t win it. LMFAOTAKEASEATLITTLEBOY
Just keep quoting and crying… I have never seen someone get so worked up on a blog before. Ha ha ha ha, you must have been made fun of a lot in your lifetime. Probably because you’re a small person.
“LOL” is still way g*y
Holy crap! YOU…TOLD…ME!!
Dombrowski, give the man a blank check. The post Placido Polanco revolving door at 2nd base needs to end
A gold glove caliber 2nd baseman who is a very good offensive player at a historically weak position. Not a star, but very good. Somebody is going to pay this guy and he deserves it.
If I am the Reds I am picking up the option then letting him walk. He will be 31 and expensive even though his market value is no higher than ~12 mil.
I’m starting to wonder if I’m the only person on this site that uses the word “homeboy” in every day conversation.
4 years 40 million take it or leave it. Billy Hamilton could come on fast and projects to be a speedy top of the order 2B. So I wouldn’t be afraid to pick up the option and take my chances that Hamilton is ready by some time in 2013, or at worst go with someone like Frazier as a stop gap.
I like Phillips, he’s a fan friendly player that is near the top of the list for his position, but I don’t want to see the Reds giving out some contract that looks horrible the moment the ink is dry either just to keep him around.
Have you seen Billy Hamilton’s errors this season??? 4/40 is fair for both sides.
“No bueno,” he said. “This is my last contract. There’s no homeboy hookup. That ain’t going to work. I want to be paid what I’m worth.”
Hooked on ebonics?
The word “homeboy” is the only word in that sentence that is ebonics. No bueno is spanish. And hookup is in the dictionary.
I get your points, @The_BiRDS:disqus & @Jacks’, but don’t confuse your terms. “Homeboy” is just slang, that’s all – not “ebonics.” It’s been in mainstream use for years (and don’t worry @Jacks’…you’re hardly the only one here who uses it).
As for “no bueno,” well…that’s just bad Spanish. I’m giving Brandon a C- for that one! :p
I was pointing how Phillips put a sentence together beautifully… starts with spanish, moves to gangsta, throws a little southern twang in there and finally when he mentions the part where he wants his money… its perfect english.
I use the word homeboy. Does that mean I’m gangsta? Or just from the city?
Means you’re gangsta
Okay then, homeboy.
Too much “bird” crap in your ears?
Man your an angry angry little man… I bet your a small person.
Blue Jays are getting him.
Pass. save the money for field pujols and darvish
Pujols won’t come to Toronto.
i’ll be fine with kelly johnson on a shorter deal thank you very much
“Na bueno,” he said. “Dis my last contract man. (Cheeto break) Da ain’t gonna be no homeboy hookup. That ain’t gonna fly. I want my skrilla dog, ight?.”
I bet if Yadier said, “No bueno,” you’d pop wood. I also don’t remember Brandon Phillips saying, “Cheeto Break” in parenthesis. But then again, I’m not the one huffing glue.
Whats up with you and the glue huffing thing? You seem to like glue and I still think you’re mad at me because your a very small person.
The parenthesis means he is taking a moment to eat a cheeto not saying “Cheeto break”… I honestly hope you were kidding when you said that otherwise I truly think you are the one “huffing glue”
As a Cardinals fan it’s so difficult to decide how I feel about Phillips. On the good side you have the fact that he’s a great player, he’s obviously good for Cincinnati (team and fans) and seems like a pretty great guy when not calling out opponents, and he has hilarious quotes like this about “homeboy hookup”. On the negative side you have the fact that his childish behavior led to that ridiculous brawl that ended Jason Larue’s career and he seems quite egotistic if he thinks that the Reds accepting his option (which he agreed to place in his contract) is somehow a “slap in the face”. Truly an enigmatic player.
That said I hope he sticks with the Reds. Just wouldn’t seem right for him to go elsewhere.
Not sure if it’s been written (I haven’t read all of the comments) but I HATE when an athlete expresses their dissatisfaction with having an option picked up. You signed the contract; you agreed to the option. I know he said he would only be disappointed if they don’t “discuss an extension” but still..