Reds beat writer John Fay reported on an encounter he had with Brandon Phillips when he tried to discuss Phillips' contract situation. BP is arbitration eligible and is asking a pretty reasonable $4.2 million for the 2008 season. Not wanting to get in the middle of the negotiations between the team and his agent Phillips kept quiet about the talks. Fay concluded that if Phillips' agent and the Reds are talking without an arbitrator they are most likely discussing a long term contract. Phillips has said before (and recently reiterated) that he wants to be to Cincinnati what Barry Larkin was. While it is refreshing to hear as a sports fan and impelling to hear as a Reds fan, this is probably easier said than done. In a small market like Cincinnati it is difficult to keep top-notch talent and the truth is the team won't be able to keep everyone. I would go out on a limb and say within five years over half of Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Joey Votto, BP, Edwin Encarnacion, Adam Dunn, and Jay Bruce will be playing elsewhere. There are two schools of thought when it comes to Brandon Phillips. The first thinks that Phillips will never touch his numbers from last season and the team should look to trade him or give him arbitration until he becomes a free agent. I completely understand where these thoughts some from. It wouldn't surprise me if Phillips never had another 30 home run season. However, I would put myself with the group of people (the Reds brass included) who think Phillips will be a top three second baseman for another ten years. Yes, 30 homers may be his limit, but Phillips plays Gold Glove defense, he runs the bases very well, and his eye at the plate gets better every year (three things that never slump). The business of baseball is tough to predict, but I would love to see Phillips and Dunn start spring training sporting 5 to 7 year deals. I bought the rights to http://www.baseballdaily.net/ and hope to have the site up and running in a couple weeks. Final Note: I wish I had a picture of Brandon Phillips posing in the grass.
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