Brandon Phillips Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation on Reds 2B's Future
Opening Day remains months away, but the Cincinnati Reds are likely looking at another season without playoff baseball in 2016. As a result, Brandon Phillips may be an expendable asset this offseason.
Continue for updates.
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Phillips Reportedly Staying Put
Thursday, Jan. 14
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reported Phillips is unlikely to be traded after invoking his 10/5 rights.
Nationals Reportedly Back Off Phillips Trade
Saturday, Dec. 19
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported Dec. 19 the Nationals are pursuing other options and have moved on from a trade involving Phillips. Rosenthal also noted there is a chance the trade could be revived.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported Phillips, who has two years and $27 million left on his contract, sought an extension to approve the trade.
On Dec. 18, ESPN's Buster Olney reported there were "lots of hurdles" still to clear before Phillips could be traded to Washington, while Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post noted the Nationals are waiting to hear from the Reds, who need to convince Phillips to waive his no-trade clause.
On Dec. 17, a trade agreement between the Nationals and Reds was "apparently ... in place," according to Rosenthal.
ESPN's Jim Bowden detailed that Phillips must first waive his no-trade clause with the Reds: "Phillips with 5/10 rights has not approved the trade yet and is not expected to until the Reds work out some type of fair compensation for him to waive his rights."
Phillips sent out a tweet with the Cincinnati and Washington, D.C., area codes earlier in the day:
D-Backs Pursuing Phillips
Thursday, Dec. 10
The Arizona Diamondbacks have "spoken again to [the Reds] about Phillips," Rosenthal reported Dec. 10.
Rosenthal first reported Nov. 11 that the Reds and Diamondbacks had engaged in talks about a possible trade involving Phillips, with Aaron Hill going the other way.
Although Hill's numbers have dipped since his second Silver Slugger Award in 2012, he'll be a free agent following the 2016 season, giving Cincinnati a little more flexibility down the road. Phillips is still owed $27 million over the next two years.
Phillips' No-Trade Clause Could Be Road Block in Potential Deal
Executing any trade will be much easier said than done, however. Rosenthal noted Phillips has a no-trade clause, which allows him to block any deal.
Given how long he has played for the Reds and his status as a fan favorite, Phillips will likely be extremely selective about whom he'll be willing to waive his no-trade clause for—if he even wants to leave Cincinnati in the first place.
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