Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty says the team has not engaged in any trade talks to deal away Brandon Phillips, reports MLB.com. However, he says that does not mean Phillips will be back with the Reds in 2014.
Reds not in active trade talks for Brandon Phillips
The second baseman is still owed $50 million, but hit for just a 706 OPS in 2013.
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“[Phillips] texted wanting to know if we were trading him. I told him that I have not spoken to anybody about that,” Jocketty told reporters Tuesday. “I’m not talking to any clubs about him.”
When asked if it was a possibility Phillips would be traded, Jocketty said nobody would be untouchable in the offseason. Due to his contract, it may be a difficult task to move him as both his hitting and defense have diminished.
The Reds have been rumored to be actively pursuing a trade to rid themselves of both Phillips’ contract and his personality. The second baseman is still owed $50 million through the 2017 season. Still, that’s not enough for Phillips, who said he was “scarred” when the team signed Joey Votto to a monster deal after telling him they did not have more money. Booth contracts were signed around the same time.
Phillips, 32, hit .261/.310/.396 in 2013 with 18 home runs. He has hit exactly 18 home runs each of the past four seasons.
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