Braves trade Brandon Phillips to Angels.

The Braves sent Brandon Phillips to the Los Angeles Angels after Phillips became willing to waive his no-trade clause.

Phillips began this season with the Braves as their everyday second baseman but was moved to third base after top prospect Ozzie Albies was called up nearly a month ago. Phillips had been reportedly displeased with the move to third but nevertheless was playing solid defense on the hot corner and can still hit a little. The trade comes just one day after Phillips recorded his 2000^th hit in Philadelphia.

Phillips was acquired by the Braves in the offseason from the Reds along with 13M to cover all but 1M of his contract. Phillips is an Atlanta native and looks to slot into the Angels lineup at second base ahead of current every-day starter Kaleb Cowart who is slashing just .233/.289/.411. The Angels added Justin Upton earlier in the day to help bolster their power production in the middle of the lineup. Phillips would be an automatic upgrade slashing .291/.329/.423 an almost identical line to his last two years in Cincinnati. Phillips at 36 is probably going to start declining faster soon and is likely going to seek a deal in the off-season where he can start on a daily basis.

For the Braves, they get the ability to play Johan Camargo and Rio Ruiz at third to see what they have in those prospects for the future. It will be interesting if they decide this offseason to trust Camargo/Ruiz at third base enough to start or if they decide to spend big on a free agent at third.

Phillips had become a fan favorite this season among Braves fans for his normal antics on the field. He proved to be clutch late in games for the Braves and was an enjoyment for the time of his stop-gap here.

The Braves will be getting minor league catcher Tony Sanchez in return for Phillips. Sanchez is a non prospect and will be AAA depth for the Braves.