Brandon Phillips has twice used his no-trade protection to block deals this offseason, and Reds president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty hasn’t been talking to any other teams about acquiring the second baseman, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
“I haven’t had any discussions since the Arizona thing and he didn’t accept that one,” Jocketty said, indicating that talks with the Diamondbacks progressed far enough that Phillips was approached about waiving his 10-and-5 rights. This came on the heels of Phillips more publicly turning down an agreed-upon trade between the Reds and Nationals since he wanted a contract extension as a condition of accepting the deal. Washington and Arizona have both moved on by adding other middle infielders (Daniel Murphy and Jean Segura, respectively) so it’s unclear as to what market, if any, might remain for Phillips’ services.
Phillips, 34, hit .294/.328/.395 with 12 homers over 623 plate appearances for Cincinnati in 2015. While his numbers were modest as a whole and, as per his 96 wRC+, below league average, it still represented Phillips’ best offensive performance since 2012. Phillips also still showed defensive value at the keystone, with positive numbers in both Defensive Runs Saved (+5) and UZR/150 (+2.1).
While Phillips is still productive, he also turns 35 in June and is owed $27MM through the 2017 season. That contract has undoubtedly kept some teams from exploring trades, though it could be a moot point if Phillips is unwilling to waive his no-trade protection for anything less than another healthy financial commitment.
The Reds also may have Phillips’ eventual replacement on hand in Jose Peraza, though Reds manager Bryan Price is still planning to use the veteran as his everyday choice at the keystone. “Brandon, for me, is a second baseman of tremendous value and talent, it’s hard to just assign someone else that job. If Brandon’s with us, I expect him to be playing second base,” Price said. Both Price and Jocketty indicated that Peraza could see some playing time at shortstop or in the outfield as well as second this season.
Phillips to Angels would make perfect sense!!
Brandon is a selfish player who never has been about winning. Why would that change now? He’s butt hurt the Reds gave Votto the money. Sit him in the bench and see if he likes not playing.
Really? Hitting .294 is modest numbers…i see them as being fine offensive numbers particularly if he has a base runner or two on ahead of him.
.294 is fine, the rest of his numbers were average at best.
Cuz he is a greedy person and he cares about no one other then himself. 27 million is plenty.
Greedy because he doesn’t want to leave the place where he signed to play. If it was $ related he would have never signed the extension in the first place. There is more to it than money. So stop with the assumptions that it’s all greed. He is being asked to move his family and not get any compensation or stay where he likes it and make the same amoumt.
Must be a slow news day when reports are about players not being traded. In other news, General Franco is still dead.
has to be money, it’s not about winning. Cincinnati has no chance in that division, only a contender would trade for him and apparently that’s not important
If it is about money, he EARNED the negotiation advantage with his 10/5 rights. Not a “NO” trade clause. He has the TOP hand
Brandon will not be part of the Reds future. Not taking the opportunity to play his final years in Washington or Arizona and have a chance to win and extend his career is a huge mistake on his part. The Reds will not be contending any time soon.
Sad that Phillips did not take the opportunity to play for a contender in Washington or Arizona with a chance to win and extend his career. He has no future in Cincinnati.
BP is willing to go if u concede to his demands. So it’s not about not wanting to move or family or any of the other BS. He is trying to strong arm the Reds, which foolishly let him achieve 10/5 rights. Reds aren’t contending w him. Sit him for a year and see how he feels then.
Every team needs veteran leadership and a solid bat and glove coming off the bench. Phillips may become the highest paid backup in MLB.
I doubt ownership sits his 27 million… No chance to move him then
That being said, ownership needs to take a lot of accountability with allowing the GM to take a playoff contender with 5 or 6 big pieces and turn it into the worst lineup in baseball with slap hitting prospects and pitchers that are 3 to 4 years out… We turned a powerful lineup into Votto and Votto… How in the world does a small market team have 2 guys in Votto and Bailey that account for 50 million a year!? Throw BP on top and your at 60 with 6 hitters that can’t hit 250!