Cincinnati Reds: After Signing Joey Votto, What's Left for Brandon Phillips?

The Cincinnati Reds locked up their cornerstone player for the next 12 years when they signed first baseman Joey Votto to a 10-year, $225 million contract extension earlier this week. However, in doing so, did the Reds effectively tell other players that there's no money left to pay them?

That appears to be the case with second baseman Brandon Phillips, who has been trying to work out his own contract extension with the team. The Reds picked up Phillips' $12 million club option for this season, perhaps to give themselves more time to work out a deal. 

According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, Phillips is reportedly seeking a four- or five-year contract resembling the five-year, $62 million contract Dan Uggla signed with the Atlanta Braves before the 2011 season.

However, the Reds don't appear interested in either the number of years nor the money Phillips is asking for. And judging by the fact they worked out a massive extension with Votto—when he was two years away from free agency—while Phillips' contract runs out at the end of this season indicates where the team's priorities lie.

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick tweeted that the Reds still think they can come to an agreement with Phillips, but are they more likely to pursue a short-term deal, letting Phillips hold second base until speedster infield prospect Billy Hamilton is ready for the big leagues?   

If the Reds think they can't afford to let Phillips go, then perhaps he'll get the deal he's looking for in Cincinnati, though not under the longer terms he's seeking. However, it looks more like he's ticketed for free agency after the season.

With several teams looking for middle infield help, he'll probably find that deal somewhere. Phillips will be 31 years old after this season, though, and that might give potential suitors some pause.

Rosenthal mentioned the Los Angeles Dodgers as a possibility, though they have Mark Ellis under contract through 2013.

I'd put the Detroit Tigers near the top of the list, but they likely won't want to pay big money for a second baseman now. Other interested teams could include the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.