Reds Insider: Phillips deal

Friday, February 15, 2008

Phillips deal

An announcement on a multiyear deal with Brandon Phillips will come this afternoon if all the details can be worked out. I don't have specifics. Phillips was asking for $4.5 million in arbitration.

25 Comments:

at 9:26 AM

Anonymous said...

all I can say is AWESOME! Quite conceivably, the best player on the Reds last year, one heck of a steal in that trade from Cleveland... I'm glad they decided to lock him in for the next few years. A key cog in the Reds everyday lineup.

at 9:32 AM

Anonymous said...

Woohoo!

at 9:40 AM

cincikid said...

That's good to hear.

John,
Do you feel that the public opinion on Phillips is true? Cocky, selfish, Premadonna type. I know that CTR had that opinion and shared it. Does this extension help the clubhouse or hurt it? I don't see it. He may not be media friendly, according to CTR, but he has been kind to the fans with a excellent play, lots of autographs, and a big smile.

at 10:01 AM

Anonymous said...

Thanks John for the great news to start off our day.

at 10:13 AM

Anonymous said...

Not a bad way to kick off spring training. I think it shows that the commitment will be made to players who are invaluable to the team.

I also believe they should use Phillips has the face of the franchise in advertising and promoting the club. He's as close to being the nicest guy next to Sean Casey.

at 10:21 AM

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear this!!!

at 10:30 AM

Osogato said...

Cincikid, I don't think the public opinion of BP is unfavorable. As a matter of fact, I'd say he's one of the most popular players with the fans. I know he made a couple comments last year about personal goals and attitudes taking precedent over the team's play on the field, but I just attribute that to being frustrated about a loosing season. He says he wants to be to Cincinnati what Barry Larkin was, and I see that as a real possibility. I'll be glad to have him locked up to a long-term deal.

at 10:32 AM

Anonymous said...

Great news on Phillips. Now on Freel, I have been watching time over time where he could have bunt the ball. His percentage would have been better if he'd decide to use his speed. Down two or more runs, the third baseman is back, why not bunt? That is the 64 million dollar question. Use his speed!!! Like Hopper. I can remember the first year, his was bunting and stealing bases like Rose. But now, always looking for a single or double.
John, any news on Lofton or Blanton?

at 10:36 AM

docproc said...

Great news!

at 10:37 AM

ewad said...

Great. He may be the best player on the team... lock him up!

at 10:38 AM

Jon said...

cincikid,

I don't think that most people feel that way about Phillips. Since arriving in Cincinnati, I have seen Phillips as inviting, happy and an all-around nice guy. I think that he feels that Cincinnati truly appreciates him. I think that he even bought a house here. Not many players do that anymore.

at 10:56 AM

baundy said...

cincikid:

From the stuff I've read in the past, I think that was the public opinion when he was in Cleveland's system and was part of the reason that Cleveland was willing to part ways with him for very little.

After the trade to Cincy I think Phillips has grown up immensely and has become a very mature leader of the team. I've long held that the Reds should designate Phillips the captain of the team because he has matured enough that the older veterans would respect him and he has had personal growth that the young players can learn from.

at 11:20 AM

Anonymous said...

This is good news, at least provided BP continues to get better as a player. At least by signing him now you give him the chance to improve upon his 2007 without saying "the contract situation has been a distraction." Maybe 2007 was a fluke, but it may not have been. The 30/30 year is nice, but I'd rather see Phillips as a No. 2 guy in the order, meaning I'd gladly trade 5 to 10 homers for 5 to 10 points added to his average. If I'm Dusty I bat Phillips second, even leadoff if Freel can't get it done, and expect 40-50 steals and 100 runs from him. The power is nice, but Phillips is the best 2B the Reds have had since Joe Morgan and that's the kind of player they need. Use Hopper and Phillips to get on base and score and rely on Griffey, Dunn and maybe Votto and Ross for the power.

at 11:40 AM

Anonymous said...

cincikid, I'm not sure you're not misrepresenting CTR's opinion when you say:

" Cocky, selfish, Premadonna type. I know that CTR had that opinion and shared it"

CTR had this to say in his own blog, today:

"He's young, talented, popular and good with fans, basically the kind of guy you want to stick around."

at 12:08 PM

Anonymous said...

YES!!!!

I can't wait to see the details, number of years.

My top two priorities this offseason:
1. Don't blow money on an average to poor SP. Done.
2. Pay Phillips. Lock up talent. Done.

at 12:25 PM

Just-in-Cincy said...

Hi John,

Do you think there's any truth to this rumor?

"Since Krivsky doesn't essenatially let the media know what he is doing whatsoever I think a lot of teams are using that and floating the Reds out as very interested in order to drive up the price on what they are trying to trade away."

This does have a ring of truth to it since Buster Olney and other analysts are saying the Yankees would only have to give up "A ball players", while the Reds would have to give up "top prospects".

If I may suggest, could you please make Krisky aware of this situation, so he doesnt have another trade turn out like the Kearns/Lopez debacle?

I also feel Krivsky needs to be made aware of this for any future trades he might be considering...

What are your thoughts on this?

at 12:35 PM

Matt McWax said...

I agree about him being a captain candidate. He has a good combination of confidence (in the Reds) and temperament (has fun on the field). The Reds need vocal players that will push each other and the management to do the things to win. The signing of Cordero probably was a real boost to a young player like Phillips. A signing of Phillips to a multiyear deal is a sign that he feels they can compete.

at 12:43 PM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

Good,BP is a great guy & player, I have talked with him during pre-gm warm up's,Great attuide!!!I look forward to watching him as a red for year's to come.

Funny how SOME people jump ship with their opinions.LOL!!!!!

at 12:45 PM

Anonymous said...

I was expecting some of the Krivsky bashers to hate this deal - because every trade/deal Krivsky has done has been horrible, right??? In case you forgot, Kriv DID trade for BP!

maybe they haven't had a chance to chime in yet.

I think it's a great move - Brandon could be the leader on this team, something we haven't had really since Barry was here. Casey was to a smaller degree, but this team is lacking a "captain" mentatity.

at 2:15 PM

Anonymous said...

just-in-cincy, you need to move past the Kearns-Lopez deal. if those two were still playing for the Reds, we'd all still be supporting a team that hasn't finished over .500 since the trade. Bray is still a cheap commodity on this team and I believe he is more valuable to the Reds realitive to the production the Reds are getting from the people who took over for Kearns and Lopez, if Bray can stay healthy. I just don't understand what the folks on your side of the Kearns-Lopez argument belive the Reds would be doing if they still had those players.

at 2:38 PM

Mr. Redlegs said...

Phillips as team captain?

Are you serious? Do you know the history of this team?

Captaincy has only been bestowed to a select few and only after a lengthy period of service with the Reds. The Wright boys, Groh, Billy Myers, Rose, Concepcion, Larkin. It's a role this franchise takes very seriously, and it's not going to a player in his third year.

If there is a quasi-captain on the roster, a player who fits all the qualities, from on-field performance to clubhouse respect and diplomacy, it's Hatteberg.

Phillips, who's still got a ways to go in most of the qualities, also has a ways to go to be a "leader" on a team that still has a sizable number of veterans.

Remember: Respect is earned, not demanded, and certainly not anointed by a contract.

at 6:25 PM

baundy said...

Mr. Redlegs-

I'm always interested in what you have to say because of your knowledge of the history of the Reds and your devotion to the team, however, I must disagree with your rationale for not making Phillips the team captain.

"Captaincy has only been bestowed to a select few and only after a lengthy period of service with the Reds."
"...it's not going to a player in his third year."
"If there is a quasi-captain on the roster...it's Hatteberg."

For the record, this is Hatteberg's third year with the club as well, just like Phillips. Hatteberg is a seasoned veteran yes, but that hasn't been a "lengthy period of service with the Reds."

Phillips is loved by the fans, busts his butt on the field and has fun doing it. He had his trials and tribulations and he recognized that he needed to grow up to be a better player. That is something that the older veterans can respect and the younger guys can look up to. He is outspoken and he wants to win. Hatteberg is trade bait come June (don't get me wrong though, I love having him on the squad).

Now that they've got Phillips locked up for four years, I think it would be wise for the Reds to designate him captain and let him be the leader that he is yearning to be.

Again though, love your posts and I hope you keep them coming!

at 6:41 PM

Anonymous said...

Thanks to the wisdom of Walt J. we have done a good thing !!(signed B.P. long term)Some of you are failing to realize how many of us are feed up & totally dislike W.K.!!I feel besides being an arrogant jerk he is also incompetent!! We'VE GONE DOWNHILL SINCE HE ARRIVED...BOB C. hired WALT for a reason,W.K. is TOAST..WAKE UP CINCY FIRE KRIVSKY ..WAKE UP CINCY FIRE KRIVSKY ANGRY IN DAYTON

at 7:35 PM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

Capt.Hatty.Come on this guy has been w/ the club just as long as BP.Yea.,he's a vet clubhouse leader,but not a captain.Weathers comes to my mind when I think of unspoken captain's.

I do agree with you(for once) about the franchise taking that role very seriously,but this also is a new regime of ownership for the Red's.Change's happen,nothing is set in stone.It's BC dollar, if he want's to make BP capt.,then he can!!!

at 12:17 AM

Mr. Redlegs said...

No, No, No!

Read the post again. Look carefully. It does not say Hatteberg is the captain. It does not say Hatteberg should be the captain.

It says if there's a quasi-captain, or unofficial captain, it's Hatteberg because of his experience, his diplomacy, and the upmost professional way he carries himself in the clubhouse and on the field. He's enormously respected, well-liked and acknowledged. He's going to be a manager some day, and probably some day soon.

Rose had seven years before he was named captain; Concepcion 13 years, and Larkin 11 years. You think Phillips should be named captain because he signs autographs and does community work and just received a contract extension?

You think Phillips is better prepared to be a captain before any of those guys?

Then you don't know the role or importance of a "captain" in a pro sports clubhouse. You've got to have more than three years with a team and certainly more than three years in the big leagues before you gain the respect of the clubhouse.

Don't buy it?

Yankees have had 11 captains in their history. Jeter, whom everyone knew would be captain one day, wasn't appointed until 2003, or eight years and four World Series rings later.

If Jeter had to wait eight years, then Phillips ain't getting a nod in just three for a team that's had even fewer captains than the Yankees, new ownership or no.

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Friday, February 15, 2008

Phillips deal

25 Comments: