Cincinnati Reds: Potential Trade Partners for Brandon Phillips

Brandon Phillips has called the Cincinnati Reds home for eleven years, with 2016 potentially being his last.

Brandon Phillips has been a staple of the Cincinnati Reds since 2006, and has crafted together one of the best resumes. Phillips is a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove recipient, and won a Silver Slugger in 2011. Although hitting a very respectable .275 on his career, Phillips has been known for his dazzling defense. However, Cincinnati is in a time of no success, and it has been reported that Phillips wants to waive his no trade clause. Which puts into question, who are suitable partners and what will be his cost.

Despite the popular consensus, Brandon Phillips’ value hasn’t been diminished. The last two seasons he’s batted over .290, slugging over ten homers and sixty runs batted in each season. The fielding may not be on the level as it once was, but it still very good. According to Fangraphs Def statistic, Phillips is still an above average fielder.

While his value as a player hasn’t diminished, the Reds may struggle to get a lot in return from Phillips. The fact of the matter is that Phillips only has one season on contract. Phillips will likely be worth the same as Howie Kendrick was in the 2014 off-season, or Chase Utley during the 2015 season. In a sense Phillips is merely just a rental second baseman, there is no guarantee he will resign and he is on the wrong side of thirty. Although he can still produce, that production has a time limit.

With that being said, Phillips needs to be traded to a team that wants to win now. There are several teams in the MLB, needing a second baseman, who are in “win now” mode. So, let’s take a look at potential new homes for Brandon Phillips.