Hi, I'm a classic platooner I enjoy Brandon Phillips.
I admire Brandon Phillips.
I do not overvalue Brandon Phillips.
I think the Reds should attempt to trade Brandon Phillips.

This is not a proposal I make lightly, as he is one of the few Reds who apparently enjoys playing baseball. I think it is ridiculous to say he could be a top-notch SS, there were doubts about his ability at that position from the time he began with the Indians. Yes, he’d have more range than Jeff Keppinger, but so what? He’s a wonderful 2B and if he doesn’t win the Gold Glove this year, they shouldn’t give one. (I still think he is a far cry from Pokey Reece at 2B. Pokey was the Ozzie of 2B to me.)

No one says much about it, but Brandon Phillips is a classic platoon player if it weren’t for his glove:

vs. Left 75 151 24 46 7 3 11 33 13 17 8 2 .305 .361 .609 .971
vs. Right 127 354 49 88 14 4 10 42 21 68 15 6 .249 .292 .395 .688

Note the problem with this in 2008: 354 ABs against his weakness vs. 151 ABs against his strength. He’s spent most of his time in the 3-5 hole this year, when in reality he is better suited to 5-7.

Not convinced? Here are his career totals:

vs. Left 298 609 92 180 24 4 32 89 45 89 39 7 .296 .344 .506 .850
vs. Right 556 1514 196 378 74 12 42 193 76 285 45 18 .250 .294 .398 .691

Even so, he is one of the few Reds with substantial trade value. He didn’t cost us much at all, being one of the wrongly-maligned Wayne Krivsky’s better pickups. Why not turn him for a pitcher, a la Hamilton-Volquez? 2B is an easy spot to fill, preferably with someone capable of an OBP better than .350. Is that asking too much? Someone who will hit 10-15 HRs (not that difficult at GABP) and draw 75 BBs. The question is: who could he bring in return?

Matt Cain? Probably not, though I’d love to get him, even if we had to include Homer (”I used to throw 98MPH, really, I did!”) Bailey.

Zack Greinke? I wouldn’t make that deal if I were the Royals GM.

I don’t know. But I don’t think those type of younger, higher-ceiling SPs are out of the question. I wouldn’t deal him for prospects. I’d be interested in hearing what others think he could bring.

Brandon Phillips is a fun player, with some great tools. I like his attitude, but unlike Paul Daughetry, I don’t think he’s the type of player to lead a team. He hasn’t really improved, hasn’t changed his game, doesn’t have the cred to be the leader we want him (or someone) to be. Just because he is the closest we have to that now doesn’t make him untouchable. John Erardi had a column Sunday that highlighted Phillips’ weaknesses. (Erardi’s insightful, evidence-based coverage of the Reds is one of the few bright spots of this season to me, btw.)

I say the Reds should see what he can bring this off-season. If some GM looks at the HRs and SBs and will overpay, the Reds should take advantage of it. He’s good…but only against lefties. He’s Pokey, with a lesser glove, against the pitchers he faces more often, right-handers.

Brief other Reds thoughts:

  • Stick with Edwin
  • Bring up Stubbs and let him play CF the rest of the year
  • Dump Corey Patterson and don’t allow Dusty to advise on player moves ever again
  • Move Arroyo and, if possible, Cordero. The Cordero contract is looking like one of Krivsky’s absolute worst moves.
  • Pray Alonso lights up the minors. You can move him to 1B and Votto to LF. Love Votto’s attitude and opposite-field power, I think he’ll be much better next year.
  • I doubt Chris Dickerson will continue to hit.
  • Dorn is an interesting prospect
  • In general, challenge your minor league prospects sooner. Stubbs should have been moved along faster, e.g.
  • Don’t expect much from Homer Bailey. Something has to be wrong with him, he barely breaks 92 MPH.