Opening Day remains months away, but the Cincinnati Reds are likely looking at another season without playoff baseball in 2016. As a result, Brandon Phillips may be an expendable asset this winter.
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Phillips' No-Trade Clause a 'Roadblock' for Any Potential Trade
Wednesday, Nov. 11
According to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks have engaged in talks about a possible trade involving Phillips, with Aaron Hill going the other way.
Phillips would be an upgrade offensively over Hill, which is important since Arizona should be competitive in the National League West in 2016.
Although Hill's numbers have dipped since his second Silver Slugger Award win in 2012, he's a free agent following the 2016 season, giving Cincinnati a little more flexibility down the road. Phillips is still owed $27 million over the next two years.
Executing this trade will be much easier said than done, however. Rosenthal noted how Phillips has a no-trade clause, which allows him to block any deal.
The Diamondbacks finished 79-83 last year and have a much better chance to win in 2016 than Cincinnati. With that said, Arizona won't be a World Series favorite going into the season.
Given how long he has played for the Reds and how he's become such a fan favorite for the franchise, Phillips will likely be extremely selective with whom he'll be willing to waive his no-trade clause—if he even wants to leave Cincinnati in the first place.
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