Phillips, Reds; Not on same page

[bigh0rt]

The Mets would love to have you at 2B, buddy...

At the moment, Phillips is unsigned, seeking a one-year $4.2 million contract. The Reds are offering a one-year $2.7-million contract. It is likely it will go to binding arbitration, unless Phillips and the Reds agree on a long-term contract.

“I’d love a long-term because I want to be here the rest of my career,” he said. “I mean that. Barry Larkin did it, and I want to be just like Barry Larkin. I want to be the next Barry Larkin, and I want to be better than Barry Larkin. He wore that ‘C’ (for captain) on his chest, and he is the reason I play baseball.”

Springfield News-Sun | FULL STORY

[Scooter1027]

Does anyone know what year of arbitration this is for Phillips? It seems the Reds are low-balling him a bit, especially if this is his 2nd year of arbitration. If it's his first...it's a little more reasonable. But I think if they went to arbitration that Phillips could well win.

[DRAFTAHOLIC]

The Reds have so many top talent treasures in the minors, they can afford to be stingy.

D

[AcidRock23]

That is ridiculous. $4 Million is not an unreasonable demand. Then again, the Cubs would probably not mind slotting him in somehow...hmmm....

[CadensDad]

I'm sure every team in baseball could slot him in somewhere, Reds are not being very smart this is a cornerstone building piece for them, they should lock him up while he still wants to be signed cheap

[Big Pimpin]

I'm sure every team in baseball could slot him in somewhere, Reds are not being very smart this is a cornerstone building piece for them, they should lock him up while he still wants to be signed cheap

For some reason I'm doubting that "I'd love to sign a long-term deal" means the same thing as "I'd like to sign a really cheap deal and basically play for free for the rest of my career just so I can stay in the 'Nati", but I could always be wrong.

[RynMan]

That's a slap in the face by the Reds, IMO.

[Scooter1027]

That's a slap in the face by the Reds, IMO.

Yeah, and the thing is it could really backfire on them too. Instead of offering something more reasonable, maybe like 3.2, and agreeing on some middle ground like 3.6, now Phillips can just take 'em to arbitration. And I think he'd have a solid case to win the 4.2 and Cincy won't have a choice but to pay it. There is no middle ground in arbitration.

[Yoda]

He wants to be like Larkin? I don't blame him. Who wouldn't want a huge contract and then coast the rest of his career?

[knapplc]

That is ridiculous. $4 Million is not an unreasonable demand. Then again, the Cubs would probably not mind slotting him in somehow...hmmm....

Oh, we can dream, brother!

I have BP in my keeper league. I'd love to see him in Wrigley. That would be perfect.