Brandon Phillips Deal: Reds’ Second Baseman Agrees to 6-Year Contract Extension [Video]


ESPN is reporting that the Cincinnati Reds and All-Star second baseman Brandon Phillips have reached an agreement on a long-term contract.

According to the report, Phillips, 30, has agreed to a six-year deal worth $72.5 million. Phillips’ contract extension comes less than two weeks after former NL MVP Joey Votto got 10 years and $225 million added to his deal.

“I think this puts us in a pretty good position to build around two premier players on the everyday side, and with some of the pitchers we have to be a contending club for years to come, hopefully,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. “It’s not easy. A lot of things have to go right for you.

“But we’re getting deeper and deeper in talent. That’s what it’s going to take in a small market.”

Phillips, a two-time National League All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, won his first Louisville Silver Slugger award in 2011, as he hit a career high.300 with 18 homers and 82 RBIs in 150 games. For his career, Brandon is a.272 hitter with 130 homers, 524 RBI and 202 doubles in 1,045 games.

As valuable as Phillips has been on the field for the Reds, MLB.com writes that his off-the-field charitable endeavors and charisma meant a great deal to the team’s ownership and front office.

“Brandon is one of the great second basemen in baseball,” Reds CEO Bob Castellini said. “He’s also fantastic off the field. He represents the franchise with a big smile all the time. He really relates to the fans and vice versa.”

Phillips loves his fans so much, in fact, that in 2011 he even accepted an invite from a fan via Twitter and attended the youngster’s baseball game.

Upon signing his his 2012 contract extension with the Reds, Phillips said:

“I cried about this. This is where I wanted to be,” Phillips said. “I’m still… you know… loss of words right now, for me to play in the city I really love. The fans have embraced me and they love me and I love them back.”

Brandon Phillips talks more about his 6-year, $72.5 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds in the video below:

via ESPN

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