Reds' second baseman Brandon Phillips has made it no secret that he would like a contract extension, but talks were not progressing as of June. He spoke to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon today about how negotiations are going and his feelings about the situation.
"I've always said from Day One that this is where I want to be at," said Phillips. "I thought there might be some talks going on during the season but I haven't heard anything all year. I was very disappointed about it … I can't really trip about anything that much. I came here and got my career back to where it should be going."
GM Walt Jocketty, meanwhile, does not believe the lack of talks are unusual, acknowledging that he has not spoken to Phillips' agent but believes he would "at some point between now and the next month or so." The Reds hold a 2012 club option that would pay the 30-year-old infielder $12MM, but Phillips said he will test the free agent waters if the team simply picks up the option without a contract extension.
"If they just pick my option up and don't extend me, I feel like that's a slap in my face," he said. "If the team wants you, they will make room. They will show you they want you here, period. They did it for some of the other guys … If they're going to have me for just one year, I feel like they don't see me in the future."
Cincinnati gave contract extensions to Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Johnny Cueto, and Bronson Arroyo this past offseason, though Votto's did not buy out any free agent years. Phillips is hitting .295/.345/.433 with a dozen homers this season, and he would be the cream of the middle infield free agent crop after next year.
Arroyo was a mistake, Phillips does deserve it though, but he better be reasonable
He deserves an extension. I can’t see them replicating his production, unless they have a good second base prospect. (Do they? I don’t know their system).
Defensively hes irreplaceable. Offensively? Hes a pretty average bat.
Assuming they pick up the option, he’s probably the best second baseman on the market in 2013. Freddy Sanchez and Howie Kendrick are also free agents that year. I don’t really see anyone else on the list that would jump out to me.
He’s improved quite a bit offensively. When he’s not trying to pad his stats, he’s a VERY good situational hitter. Those moments where he’s swinging for the fences are getting fewer and far between.
But you are correct, he is irreplaceable defensively.
Ignorant statement #1. Since when is “.295/.345/.433 with a dozen homers this season” average for a 2nd baseman?
Hes on a pretty big hot streak as of late and hes been helped out quite a bit by GABP during his career. He’s .700-.730 OPS bat on the road. Great defensive player, and pretty average at the plate.
He may be an average hitter overall, but he is well above average when just looking at second basemen
I’d have to agree. alxn. How one values a hitter varies with position. The #’s that Matt Moore listed above are actually pretty nice for a middle infielder. Would they be good for a 1B-man, not so much.
he’s actually a very interesting case defensively. UZR loves him, but DRS and +/- are not nearly as positive and TZL actually rates him below average most of the time. i’d love to know what’s going on with the metrics there
I’d let someone slap me in the face for 10 bucks. I cant list the things I’d let them do to me for 12 million.
Hell, you might even let them let you play Major League baseball!
Hmm, I just may take you up on that $10 offer…
…twice!!
Take the whole quote…
“I’ve always said from Day 1 that this is where I want to be at,”
Phillips said on Friday. “I thought there might be some talks going on
during the season but I haven’t heard anything all year. I was very
disappointed about it. It hurts bad that this is where I want to be at
and I’ve paid blood, sweat and tears for this organization, but the only
thing I can do is thank them very much for giving me a second
opportunity. I can’t really trip about anything that much. I came here
and got my career back to where it should be going.”
Whenever I hear a player say this, I think back to this line from The Office, “I’m going wherever they value loyalty the most.”
Why does this seem like an over-reaction on the part of Shelton or Phillips? Either Phillips is too worried about what is happening or Shelton is trying to paint a bad picture of Phillips. The off season is when contracts are traditionally discussed. He’s not technically even a free agent yet anyhow. I’m sure they will work out something and sing Kumbayah afterwards.
Phillips isn’t going anywhere. He’s a fan favorite in Cincinnati, they would have to be completely retarded not to extend his contract.
I am with you on that comment. Phillips has a special fan relationship… I honestly see some as considering him the team leader right now.
He’s their Jimmy Rollins. I still love that he had the stones to call the Cardinals for what they are “a bunch of…” you know.
Phillips may be worth an extension, but I find his threat “extend me now, or I’ll test free agency” very, very annoying.
Yes, because he is the first player to ever offer that ultimatum…
Anytime a player says that its annoying.
I like the way he plays the game, but when he talks about how being payed $12 million next year would be an insult and slap in the face, he’s just another out of touch professional athlete.
I don’t think the money is the issue, the issue is that he wants to be included in the future of the organization, he likes what’s going on in Cincinnati and wants to be a part of it long-term, not one season at a time. I don’t blame him. He’s done more than enough to prove his worth, and really, who’s going to play 2nd if you let him walk? There’s nobody on the market that I would give the job to, especially with SS being such a question mark and 3rd being more or less the same with Rolen’s declining health. And as far inside the organization…nope. The only stud that’s coming up is Henry Rodriguez, and he probably won’t even be in AAA until the middle of next year at best. You need that defensive leader in the INF, and while I’m as big a Votto fan as there is, I don’t see that out of him at all.
Agreed … he has always said that Cincy is where he wants to be long term. As for the money … all he has ever stated is that he wants to be paid what is fair. I think the ONLY thing that has irked him a little is that there has not been any talks between he and the Reds.
Ever heard of Billy Hamilton? Most project him to end up at 2B. He has 97 stolen bases this year in the minors. He’s a couple of years away, so signing BP for 2-3 years would make a lot of sense to bridge that gap.
He has an option year…….so the Reds, like they did with Arroyo…..can negotiate with him then. He does not seem to grasp this or realize it. He is worth paying but not Overpaying.
The Reds still have to think about who the closer will be. Will they try to re-sign Cordero for a much lower amount? I know they want Chapman to start and I think it is a waste of resources NOT to have him start. Nick M is not reliable at all.
If Dusty is back….. no way he goes with a closer by committee. He is too fixated on roles for every player.
Baker will barely be around after this year or next…..and that Dusty Baker kills arm stuff just continues even though for the 1986th time… Wood had arm problems and was overused by Riggleman…..and Prior had Strasburg like mechanics.
If David EWeathers could close for a lot cheaper than Cordero…..you can find closers at lower $$ in order not to waste this guy’s arm just to close.
PAY Brandon Phillips! everyone talks about Joey Votto, reining national league MVP….yes Joey is a great player, put it takes more that 1 player to make a team. Brandon has done what has been asked of him and I would love to see him get a 5 year contract. Even if there are prospects in the minors….who better to show them the ropes. Also, Brando has he personality similar to Sean Casey, in that he always has a smile on hi face like to talk and is always doing things for his friend………….not to mention he’s a damn good ballplayer. KEEP BRANDON PHILLIPS!