Reds trade Phillips to Braves for prospects
After 11 seasons in the Queen City, Brandon Phillips is finally moving on.
The Cincinnati Reds agreed to trade the second baseman to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, in exchange for left-hander Andrew McKirahan and right-hander Carlos Portuondo.
"We are excited to add Brandon Phillips to our club," Braves general manager John Coppolella said in a statement. "He is a Gold-Glove caliber defender who will also deepen our offensive lineup. We are thrilled to 'welcome home' Brandon to Atlanta, where he will play in front of his family and friends and many of his fans."
Related: Moving on from Phillips expedites Reds' rebuild
Phillips says goodbye to the Reds as one of the franchise's best second basemen. He ranks first in doubles and home runs and second in games played, hits, and RBIs at the position in Reds history.
Despite three straight losing seasons in Cincy, Phillips stuck with the club and blocked a trade on a number of occasions in order to remain with the Reds. He nixed a deal that would have sent him to the Washington Nationals in December 2015 after the club refused to provide a "significant benefit" that was believed to be either an extension or added money. Phillips also blocked a trade to the Braves in November due to "unspecified issues."
Phillips - a Georgia native - is in the final year of his contract and is set to earn $14 million this season. The Braves will cover just $1 million of Phillips' remaining contract, with the Reds handing the rest, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
With utility infielder Sean Rodriguez set to undergo shoulder surgery, Phillips will slide into the Braves' starting second baseman role and sets up a double-play pairing with shortstop Dansby Swanson.
Phillips is coming off another strong offensive season, hitting .291/.320/.416 with 11 home runs, 34 doubles, and 64 RBIs in 141 games with Cincinnati.
McKirahan hasn't pitched in the majors since 2015 when he posted a 5.93 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in 27 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old tore his UCL in his pitching elbow last spring and missed the entire season after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery.
Portuondo has yet to pitch in the majors and spent last season between Single-A and Triple-A. In five appearances with Triple-A Gwinnett, the 29-year-old posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, and four strikeouts.
The addition of Phillips likely caps off a highly active offseason for Atlanta, which also added fellow veterans Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey, and Kurt Suzuki and extended outfielder Ender Inciarte.