Yes, I realize this is a Yankees blog. Yes, I realize
Brandon Phillips was a member of the Cincinnati Reds and yes I realize that he
is now a member of the Atlanta Braves. Yes, I realize the Yankees won’t see the
Braves this season before the World Series and yes, I am well aware that the
Braves are in the National League while the Yankees are in the American League.
You know what though? It interested me as I live in Metro Atlanta, Georgia now
after moving here from New York, it is in the news and I want to talk about it.
You have been warned, friends.
The Atlanta Braves sent left-hander Andrew McKirahan and
minor league right-handed pitcher Carlos Portuondo for Brandon Phillips on
Sunday. Phillips, a second baseman and three-time All-Star with Cincinnati,
attended high school in Georgia at Redan High in Stone Mountain, Georgia so
this is a bit of a homecoming for the right-hander. Phillips was drafted out of
Redan High School by the Montreal Expos in the second round of the 1999 MLB
First Year Players Draft and for the first time in his MLB career will be
making a comeback to his hometown. Those are always fun stories to write about.
Phillips will be in Atlanta to finish out his contract that
has just one-year left on it worth $14 million in salary. Phillips will be entering
his age 35 season in 2017 and had to waive his no-trade clause and ten-and-five
rights to facilitate the trade so Phillips clearly wants to be in Atlanta, and
who could blame him? Atlanta has a ton of young talent and could be ready to
compete as early as the 2017 season. The Braves have the potential to have
something special brewing once again and Phillips may be in the middle of it as
he grooms the young guys before hitting free agency at 36-years old.
The Braves basically gave up nothing for Phillips and will
simply assume his salary for the season. What Phillips could teach the young
Braves in a mentor role you absolutely cannot put a price tag on but if you
could I’d venture to say it would be a lot higher than $14 million at this
stage in the game. Atlanta gave up McKirahan who did not pitch in the Major
Leagues in 2016 after having Tommy John surgery while Portuondo pitched just 17
games in 2016 with Class-A and Triple-A after spending eight seasons in the
Cuban League.
Phillips is going to be great in Atlanta and I can totally
see him being a fan favorite basically from Day One. I look forward to seeing
his spectacular plays at second base and what he can do to help the Baby Braves
going forward. My heart belongs to the Yankees, and it always will, but I also
enjoy watching some good local baseball as well so I’d be lying if I didn’t say
I was rooting for Phillips and the Braves a bit in 2017.
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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)