Reds GM States Brandon Phillips Not Being Shopped
Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Reds GM Walt Jocketty appeared on MLB Network Radio today. One question Jocketty was asked pertains to all the rumors that the Reds were actively shopping second baseman Brandon Phillips. Jocketty stated he has recently spoken to Phillips and Walt personally has no inclination of dealing the four-time Gold Glove winner. This comes off the heels of a report filed last evening from FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
Also, Jocketty let it be known that Aroldis Chapman will remain as the club’s closer, but that seems like the second story here.
The main thrust will center around his comments regarding BP.
It was apparent that some within the organization was less than thrilled with an interview Phillips did for Cincinnati Magazine. Within that interview, Phillips let it be known that he wasn’t the happiest person as it relates to his contract. A couple of quotes from that interview…
"“I just feel like they didn’t have to sign Joey to that contract. He still had two more years on his,” says Phillips. “And for [the front office] to go out there and sign him before they sign me, and they knew I was going to be a free agent?” Phillips shakes his head. “I understand Joey’s a good player. He’s one of the best players in this game. But I feel like I am too. I told them that this is where I wanted to be. I begged them. I told everybody I want to finish my career here. And then they give someone a contract who didn’t ask for nothing?**********“To this day, I’m still hurt. Well, I don’t wanna say hurt. I’ll say scarred. I’m still scarred. It just sucks that it happened,” he says. “For [Castellini] to sign somebody for $200 million, there must be a new vegetable or fruit coming out that we don’t know about. For him to do something like that and tell me they didn’t have any more money, that’s a lie. But what can I do? I just feel like it was a slap in my face.”"
Phillips has never backed down from this stance either. That quote may have ruffled a few feathers. So much so that numerous reports emerged after season’s end that the Reds were actively shopping him.
Not only was there the interview, there was the public admonishing of local writer C. Trent Rosecrans that also hung over his head. And you may have even received a direct message (or three) from BP on Twitter.
All of this can now, at least for the time being, be put to bed.
For your listening pleasure…
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Speaking of Redsfest…