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Reds' Phillips Agrees To $27M, 4-Year Deal

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The Associated Press

Published: February 16, 2008

CINCINNATI - Second baseman Brandon Phillips agreed to a $27 million, four-year deal Friday, settling the Cincinnati Reds' final arbitration case and satisfying a player who doesn't want to leave.

The 26-year-old infielder had a breakout season last year, when he joined Alfonso Soriano as the only second basemen in major-league history to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases.

Agents Sam and Seth Levinson negotiated the deal for Phillips, who wanted to stay with the team that gave him a second chance by getting him from Cleveland in a trade. Phillips had asked for $4.2 million in arbitration, and the Reds had offered $2.7 million.

The new contract includes a $750,000 signing bonus and salaries of $2.75 million this year, $4.75 million in 2009, $6.75 million in 2010 and $11 million in 2011. The Reds have a $12 million option for 2012 with a $1 million buyout, and if Phillips is traded, the option becomes a mutual option.

Phillips made $407,500 last season.

He plans to join the team for spring training in Sarasota over the weekend.

ATHLETICS: Catcher Jeremy Brown, one of the central subjects in the book "Moneyball" that chronicled Billy Beane's unconventional methods as Oakland general manager, told the A's he's calling it a career.

ASTROS: Houston won its arbitration case with closer Jose Valverde. Valverde, acquired from Arizona during the offseason, will earn $4.7 million rather than $6.2 million.

BREWERS: All-Star shortstop J.J. Hardy and Milwaukee agreed on a $2.65 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration. Hardy had asked for $3.05 million, while the Brewers had offered $2.4 million.

MARINERS: Opening Day starter Erik Bedard has agreed to a $7 million, one-year contract with Seattle, avoiding arbitration with the team that traded for him last week. The 28-year-old left-hander was asking for $8 million. Seattle's offer was $6 million.

ROCKIES: Colorado defeated reliever Brian Fuentes in salary arbitration when a panel ruled the reliever should get $5.05 million this year rather than his request for $6.5 million.

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