Phillips wants Extension – Tough Spot for Reds

After a disappointing 2011 continues to wind down for the Cincinnati Reds, a certain second baseman’s discontent is building regarding the future direction of the ball club.

In a story posted Wednesday morning on MLB trade rumors, Tim Dierkes reported the potential sour feelings Brandon Phillips would have if he weren’t inked to a long-term deal.  Phillips(30), has a 2012 option for $12 million, which from the outside looking in, would seem to be a good play for the Cincinnati organization to exercise.  However, Phillips was quoted saying the following:

“If they just pick up my option and don’t extend me, I feel like that’s a slap in the face.  If a 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 here for one year, I feel like they don’t see me here in their future.”

Hmmm.  Let’s take a moment to figure this out, so maybe Cincinnati can rest a little easier tonight.

First, with Brandon Phillips, you are getting a fantastic second baseman.  On defense he is very athletic and possesses a nice arm.  The guy produces offensively as well.  On the year, the Red’s all-star is hitting at a .294/.346/.452 clip with 18 homers and 81 RBIs.

The eccentric Phillips is also a fan favorite.  He is very accessible in the social media world, and tales of Brandon’s willingness to connect with fans have been numerous.  It’s been reported when a kid asked him to go to his little league game on twitter, Phillips actually showed up.  I’ve also heard a story about Phillips flying a couple of random fans to a  game.

However, fans in Cincinnati will attest that Phillips might actually play below his potential from time to time.  He has been known to dog it running to first on occasion, and many times fans feel like he isn’t giving it %100.

I have also been told of an instance where Brandon was paying attention to a group of pigeons during a game for multiple innings.  In-between innings, he was actually seen feeding them.  Such first hand accounts can be quite worrisome for a guy in line for a multi-year extension worth tens of millions of dollars.

Lets also not get this twisted – the Reds are not a huge market.  The Red’s 2011 payroll checked in at just under $74.5 million.  Can they really afford to extend Phillips, a guy who plays second base?

Keep in mind, Joey Votto’s contract expires after 2013.  If the Reds have any inkling of resigning Votto, re-upping Phillips probably isn’t an option.

If the Reds see Phillips’ option as a stop-gap, they may have a potential internal candidate ready for 2013 in Henry Rodriguez.  Rodriguez, 21, is a nice looking player who hit .302/.367/.432 with 18 steals in double A this year.

However you look at it, this might just be another one of those crummy scenarios in baseball where business has to step up to the forefront.  I’m sure followers of the Reds don’t want to see Phillips leave town.  Unfortunately, the organization might have no other choice.

Phillips should keep a positive outlook on this situation though.  Who knows, he maybe the final piece in another teams’ postseason run come 2012.