Brandon Phillips contract extension

[LRCW]

Most people expected, and it seemed like it was pretty close to being done, Jocketty to sign Brandon Phillips to an extended contract good for 3 or 4 years. Well so far it hasn't happened, and we really don't hear much talk about it anymore. Perhaps the Reds feel that money would better be used toward signing Joey Votto to a long term deal. Jocketty was quoted in the Cincinnati Enquirer yesterday as saying “I think Joey would like to stay. We haven’t opened up dialogue yet. But, hopefully, we’ll be able to sign and keep him here a while.”

[UKMustangFan]

I think that would be one of the few ways the fanbase wouldn't turn against Jocketty for letting BP walk.

[2 Humped Camel]

I expect both to be gone after 2013. I'm not so sure how much I'd want them throwing a long term contract around at Phillips. I like him and he's been a good player but his lack of selection at the plate doesn't bode well for when age slows his bat even the slightest bit. His numbers have already begun declining the last few years. To me it's an if the price is right situation. I'd love for them to keep Votto long term but realistically with the contracts being thrown around for first basemen, there is no way he stays. He's pretty much on par with those guys offensively and he's a far better fielder than Fielder and IMO a better fielder than Puljos as well. He's going to command a much bigger contract that the Reds can afford. That's my 2 cents for what its worth.

[malachicrunch]

They can't afford Votto.

[EZ Living]

I expect both to be gone after 2013. I'm not so sure how much I'd want them throwing a long term contract around at Phillips. I like him and he's been a good player but his lack of selection at the plate doesn't bode well for when age slows his bat even the slightest bit. His numbers have already begun declining the last few years. To me it's an if the price is right situation. I'd love for them to keep Votto long term but realistically with the contracts being thrown around for first basemen, there is no way he stays. He's pretty much on par with those guys offensively and he's a far better fielder than Fielder and IMO a better fielder than Puljos as well. He's going to command a much bigger contract that the Reds can afford. That's my 2 cents for what its worth.

 

Imo the Red's would like to get 1 maybe 2 more years out of Phillips and as much as they can out of Votto and get youngsters Billy Hamilton and Neftali Soto to the bigs. Soto is a soon to be 23 year old first baseman who showed good power numbers with 30 HRs in 379 ABs @ Carolina in 2011 who will probably spend 2012 @ AAA Louisville. At 6'2" and 180 lbs he is probably just starting to fill out and may be just starting to swing the big bat. He is rated the 8th best 1B prospect in MLB.com behind some good young 1B prospects. Realistically Hamilton is still a few years away and at 6'1" and 160 lbs definitely needs to get stronger to withstand the grind of a major league season. He will start out at high A but could move quickly to AA and beyond. For now the Reds want to keep him at SS but he could be moved to 2B to replace Phillips down the road if the need arises. He would sure give the Reds some much needed speed on the bases and if his on base % continues to improve possibly a real leadoff hitter that they have been lacking.

[HammerTime]

I think that would be one of the few ways the fanbase wouldn't turn against Jocketty for letting BP walk.

 

Do you think it's smart to give him 5 years 60-70 Mil? Because I sure as heck don't.

[HammerTime]

I highly doubt Hamilton moves SS to 2B.

[TAC]

Phillips was smiling at the XU game last night. He had some great seats and was in a lot of photo opps with whomever approached him.

[UKMustangFan]

Do you think it's smart to give him 5 years 60-70 Mil? Because I sure as heck don't.

 

Phillips? Nope, I think it'd be stupid, but that's not how the majority of the Reds fanbase will see it.

[dmderringer10]

Let him walk...

[HammerTime]

Let him walk...

 

Or trade him if they aren't in contention. I like BP a lot but it just doesn't make sense and wouldn't work for this team if they pay him 12 M a year for the next 5 or 6 years.

[Da champ]

Get rid of him and replace him with ???? What if he proves this year that he can be the lead off hitter we haven't had in how long? I'd scotch my wheels and let this year play out.

[dmderringer10]

Or trade him if they aren't in contention. I like BP a lot but it just doesn't make sense and wouldn't work for this team if they pay him 12 M a year for the next 5 or 6 years.

 

:thumb:

 

I've let it be known that I just don't really like BP. I appreciate what he's done for Cincy but they shouldn't resign him unless he gives them an extreme discount.

[UKMustangFan]

If the Reds let Phillips go, they may be able to offer Votto something along the lines of 5yr/115M or something something close to it. Would that be enough to get him to stay, who knows, but it'd be in the ballpark I think.

[Da champ]

If the Reds let Phillips go, they may be able to offer Votto something along the lines of 5yr/115M or something something close to it. Would that be enough to get him to stay, who knows, but it'd be in the ballpark I think.

 

I think that would be favorable BUT if Votto realizes that we're getting weaker as a team to pay him...I don't think he'll stay.