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We’ve heard this name floated around a few times this offseason, but according to a report by Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Atlanta Braves are close to acquiring veteran second baseman Brandon Phillips from the Cincinnati Reds:
Sources: #Braves close to acquiring 2B Brandon Phillips from #Reds.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 12, 2017
At 35-years-old, Phillips is certainly not the player he once was, and is likely much more revered by more traditional-minded baseball minds as he posted a .291/.320/.416 triple slash during the 2016 season while managing just 0.9 WAR.
Phillips is owed $14 million this season in the final year of his contract.
This rumor didn’t make much sense initially, as Phillips reportedly already declined a trade to the Braves this offseason, but things began to make more sense when additional reports indicated that Sean Rodriguez would be missing 3-5 months due to shoulder surgery.
Phillips also had a few interesting tweets tonight. Make of these what you will:
What a day lol! #BackInDaTrap #ATLien
— Brandon Phillips (@DatDudeBP) February 12, 2017
I see ya @Baseball_ACES making dreams come true! Always getting things done especially when they need to be. #SALUTE #Outchea
— Brandon Phillips (@DatDudeBP) February 12, 2017
*Phillips is represented by ACES Baseball Agency.
Update (12:05 p.m. ET):
A few additional details on this from the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Reds beat reporter, Zach Buchanan:
Brandon Phillips would be the only Reds player in the deal.
— Zach Buchanan (@ZachENQ) February 12, 2017
I wouldn't expect a huge return in this deal for the Reds. More about clearing a logjam.
— Zach Buchanan (@ZachENQ) February 12, 2017
Hearing the Braves enticed Phillips by making a couple changes to his deal, but "nothing much."
— Zach Buchanan (@ZachENQ) February 12, 2017
Stay tuned.