Finally Leaving Cincinnati

Brandon Phillips might be the second best second baseman in Reds history. Over 11 Cincinnati seasons, he provided good speed and defense, averaged 18 home runs and batted .279. But history takes a backseat to present-day needs. Working under a long-term contract, with no-trade protection, Phillips had no desire to leave the club, even when the contending Nationals tried and failed to bring him aboard a year ago.
But after seeing the Reds shed outfielder Jay Bruce and ace pitcher Johnny Cueto while entering a full-scale rebuild, he finally gave his approval to a trade. Now 36, Phillips heads to the Braves, where he'll be the everyday second baseman in place of Sean Rodriguez, who'll miss three to five months after surgery to repair a shoulder injured in a January car wreck.
This image of Brandon Phillips is from a 2013 Mets/Reds game in New York.

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