Major League Baseball

Rosenthal: On 'second' thought, Reds unlikely to trade Phillips

Published Dec. 3, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

For much of the offseason, many in baseball expected the Cincinnati Reds to trade second baseman Brandon Phillips.

A deal, however, appears increasingly unlikely, according to major league sources.

The Reds discussed Phillips with the New York Yankees earlier in the offseason, and later received inquiries from teams on his 10-team no-trade list. None of those discussions was serious, sources said.

A trade still is possible if a team makes a substantial offer, but the Reds are not actively shopping Phillips, sources said. Clubs in need of second basemen also can consider free agents such as Robinson Cano and Omar Infante.

Phillips, 32, is owed $50 million in the final four years of his contract. He reportedly angered Reds officials last season by complaining in a magazine article about his contract after the team signed first baseman Joey Votto to a 10-year, $225 million extension, and also engaged in a verbal confrontation with a reporter that was caught on camera.

The Reds already are facing the loss of outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, who is drawing heavy interest on the free-agent market. The subtraction of Phillips would leave them with another significant hole in their lineup.

Phillips finished last season with a .310 on-base percentage, his lowest in eight years with the Reds, but he was fourth in the National League with 103 RBI. He also won his fourth Gold Glove at second base.

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