The Cincinnati Reds have been rebuilding for quite a while now, and, despite annual efforts to do so, the one guy they’ve not been able to trade is second baseman Brandon Phillips. Despite a contract and overall performance that would be much better suited to a contender, Phillips has invoked his no-trade rights to stick in Cincinnati, where he’s been happy and comfortable.
But, at long last, it seems a trade out of the NL Central is finally coming:
Source: Phillips trade from #Reds to #Braves expected to be done tomorrow. CIN will pay most of Phillips’ $14M salary in 2017, save some $$.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 12, 2017
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The Braves and Reds have finished the agreement on the Brandon Phillips deal. Just checking boxes now before the announcement.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 12, 2017
There’s no word just yet on the return to the Reds – other than saving a little cash – but it’s not expected to be much:
Source tells me deal to send Phillips to ATL about done. #reds getting 2 players back. MLB must approve $$ in deal. CIN eating most of it
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) February 12, 2017
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Source adds: #Reds’ return will be minimal. Motivation for CIN is to clear infield logjam.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 12, 2017
Phillips, 35, hit .291/.320/.416 (92 wRC+) last year, and the advanced metrics say his defense slipped below average. There is no question he is in the decline arc of his career, but he may still have a productive year or two left in his career, and the Braves seem to be stocking up on those types this offseason.
The hit to the Reds’ overall performance here probably won’t be significant, given what Rosenthal noted – moving Phillips out will give the Reds more of a chance to give top prospect Jose Peraza regular playing time. Heck: the various projection systems actually indicate a better year is coming for Peraza than Phillips, anyway, so maybe the Reds just got fractionally tougher.
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UPDATE: The return to the Reds is lefty reliever Andrew McKirahan (formerly from the Cubs’ system) and righty Carlos Portuondo, neither of whom is considered a significant prospect. The Reds are eating all but $1 million of Phillips’ salary, so the exposure for the Braves in this deal if Phillips winds up not contributing is about zero.