February 15, 2008
Paying for Defense
The Reds made Brandon Phillips a rich man as they avoid arbitration by signing him to a four-year contract with an option for a fifth season. He'll make $27 million over the first four years:
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 wants 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.
Phillips over his career isn't a great offensive player, but he led second basemen in PMR in 2007. His level of offense for a great defensive second baseman is just fine.
I am curious as to how much better offensively Phillips could be? As a starter he has been among the best second basemen in the bigs and even better among his National League counter parts.
He could post a .350 OBA.
5th highest OPS in the NL, 3rd highest VORP. I'd say offensively he is well above average, even with a poor OBA.
You mean among second baseman? He didn't have the fifth highest OPS in the NL.