Sep 26, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) hits a two-run single off of St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Michael Wacha (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium. Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
The Cincinnati Reds agreed to trade second baseman Brandon Phillips to the Atlanta Braves, according to multiple reports Sunday.
Phillips passed his physical Sunday and will retain his full no-trade rights, which he waived to approve the trade to Atlanta, a source told ESPN’s Jim Bowden.
In exchange for Phillips, the Reds will get left-handed pitcher Andrew McKirahan and right-hander Carlos Portuondo, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
Phillips, 35, is in the final year of a six-year, $72.5 million extension that he signed in 2012. He will make $14 million in the 2017 season and the Reds will pick up most of his salary, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
The commissioner’s office must approve the trade due to the amount of money involved.
Phillips, a 15-year major league veteran, has played the last 11 seasons in Cincinnati. He is a three-time All-Star has won four Gold Gloves.
In 2016, Phillips hit .291 with 11 home runs and 64 RBIs in 141 games. He is a career .275 hitter with 197 homers and 889 RBIs.
The Braves wanted Phillips partially due to a left shoulder injury sustained by infielder Sean Rodriguez in a car accident on Jan. 28, according to Fox. Rodriguez will have surgery and is reportedly expected to be out between three and five months.
McKirahan, 27, appeared in 27 games in relief for the Braves in 2015, posting a 5.93 ERA in 27 1/3 innings. He had Tommy John surgery in 2012 and again last year.
Portuondo is a 29-year-old Cuban whose only American experience is 17 appearances and one start between Class A and Triple-A in 2016. He went 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA.
