Per MLB Trade Rumors
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Per MLB Trade Rumors
Well, that's good. [/Forrest Gump voice]
Two plus a club option third? Would BP go for that?
I'm in for scrapping the 2012 contract and signing a 5/55 or 4/48 or 3/40. However, I often wish teams would FRONTLOAD their contracts to make sure they don't overpay an old guy. I don't think he'll age poorly. He's already lost a step on the bases and just put up a great year. He'll always hit .275 and play GG defense. He keeps in great shape, plays hurt, never had a drop of alcohol, and produces when healthy. This, I think, is the first year he's been fully healthy in 3-4 years. He hits up and down the lineup.
He plays Gold Glove defense in that he's very flashy and can make incredible plays. However, his dWAR is usually right around 0.
And he has said he won't give the Reds any kind of discount.
The problem is that the flexibility is at the end of the contract. It hamstrings the club in the present.
Why pay big bucks now for a guy to be a centerpiece on a contender right now if it means you don't have the money to give him the supporting cast necessary to compete?
That Phillips will be a Red in 2012 is not news at all. it was all but a given. The real news will be whether an extension gets worked out or not.
I'll be pretty disappointed/confused if the Reds don't extend Phillips, yet don't make any other moves in the offseason to "go for it" in 2012.
While I think (hope) they rework his contract and sign him multiple years, I have to laugh at Phillips, or any ballplayer, who thinks it's a "slap in the face" to exercise an option that pays them $12M/year... even if it's only for one year. Give me a break! ;)