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Atlanta Braves: Reds Dispute Brandon Phillips Trade Story

By Kit Anderson

Sep 26, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) hits a two-run single off of St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Michael Wacha (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) hits a two-run single off of St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Michael Wacha (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Braves acquired Brandon Phillips on their second trade attempt with the Reds though the Reds and Phillips disagree exactly how he got here.

The Atlanta Braves have their starting second baseman this season in Brandon Phillips. Phillips is in his final year of an overpaid contract that the Reds will still be paying the vast majority of. After vetoing a deal to the Braves the first time around Phillips accepted a trade to the Braves and has since clarified that he would have been happy to come to Atlanta the first time around.

The Reds since then released a statement that Phillips was off base and that his statement wasn’t accurate. Interestingly enough they were not willing to put their names behind it claiming that they wanted Phillips to continue to have a good opinion of the Reds.

While it is interesting that either the Reds or Phillips are misleading fans it shouldn’t effect Braves fans opinion of their new second baseman. Phillips has always been a fiery player who enjoys making the flashy plays and will be in the middle of any altercations that break out on the field.

He is also a much better hitter then any 2nd base options that the Braves have on the current roster. He is expected to slot 6th in the Braves lineup hitting after Matt Kemp and Nick Markakis. Phillips should expect plenty of RBI opportunities with those two in front of him and could have another solid season in his walk year.

It is an interesting story line that Phillips and the Reds disagree how Phillips got to Atlanta but regardless of who is right (Our bet isn’t on Phillips) he will be the Braves starting second baseman and helps the team get better as a whole.

Next: Atlanta Braves: Bright Spots of 2016

The Reds and Braves are both teams that are headed in similar directions but are opting to take different paths. The Reds are focusing on starting youth while the Braves prefer to acquire veteran players until their youth proves themselves ready. It should be interesting to watch which team completes their rebuild first and returns to contention.

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