Atlanta Braves: Trade for Brandon Phillips
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves have finalized a deal with the Reds that will bring Brandon Phillips to Atlanta.
After vetoing a trade to the Atlanta Braves earlier this off-season Brandon Phillips is headed to Atlanta. The deal comes after the news that Sean Rodriguez will have surgery that will require him to be out for an extended period of time.
Brandon Phillips will be the Braves opening day second baseman and expected to slot 6th in the current lineup though hitting 2nd could be a possibility as well. Phillips is an established veteran player who will offer the Braves an upgrade over their current options at 2nd.
In exchange the Braves are sending two pitchers in their late twenties Andrew McKirahan and Carlos Portuondo. The Braves will be responsible for paying one-million of the fourteen- million dollars that Phillips is owed on what will be the final year of his contract.
Phillips will have limited say in if the team can trade him though he surrendered his full 10-5 rights. The first vetoed trade shouldn’t be held against Phillips considering the Braves are not a contender on paper and he wanted to stay with the Reds.
Phillips is a big offensive upgrade over the current options that the Braves have at second base and will make an already improved lineup a lot deeper. Phillips has limited power but is a solid .280-.300 hitter and will not have the offensive pressure that he has had at times with the Reds.
For the Braves this move is a low risk high reward deal that can only make their team better. Trading two non-prospects for a legitimate starting 2nd baseman is a good move and one that makes the team better.
Next: Braves Off-season Targets
The Braves pitchers and catchers will be reporting to Spring Training on Tuesday. Adding Brandon Phillips should complete the Braves’ roster heading into Spring Training.