Report: D-backs revisiting possible Brandon Phillips trade
Dec 10, 2015, 8:00 AM
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips misses a single hit by Pittsburgh Pirates' Neil Walker during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
The Arizona Diamondbacks may be trying to get one more big deal in before the Winter Meetings in Nashville close up shop.
After signing coveted free agent pitcher Zack Greinke and trading for right-hander Shelby Miller, the D-backs are once again looking at acquiring veteran second baseman Brandon Phillips from the Cincinnati Reds, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
Sources: #DBacks have spoken again to #Reds about Phillips. Persuading him to waive no-trade, if two sides agree, may be easier now for AZ.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2015
#DBacks, with Greinke and Miller, more competitive than they were when they began pursuing Phillips. No indication that trade is close.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2015
Rumors of discussions between the two teams started a month ago, but the talks did not progress. But since then, the D-backs have arguably improved their roster more than any other big league team, which could be enough for Phillips to waive his no-trade rights as a player with 10 years of MLB service and five with the same team.
The 34-year-old Phillips is a three-time All-Star and has won four Gold Gloves in his career, which started in 2002 with the Cleveland Indians.
Last season, he posted a .294/.328/.395 slash line with 12 home runs and 70 RBI for a last-place Reds ballclub.
In his career, Phillips is a .273 batter with 186 home runs and 825 RBI. He’s been with Cincinnati since a 2006 trade with Cleveland that sent pitcher Jeff Stevens to the Indians. Stevens never pitched for Cleveland and only saw action in 33 MLB games leading many to rate the trade as one of the worst in baseball since 2000.
Phillips has two years remaining on a six-year, $72 million deal he signed in 2012. He’s due to make $13 million in 2016 and $14 million in 2017.
