Fansided

Atlanta Braves to send Brandon Phillips to Angels…maybe

By Tyler Wilson |
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 30: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by Dansby Swanson #7 after Phillips scored against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the ninth inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on June 30, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 30: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by Dansby Swanson #7 after Phillips scored against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the ninth inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on June 30, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Brandon Phillips has been nothing but great for the Braves this season. Despite being perceived as a lazy base-runner or defender at times, Phillips has given the Braves much more than they ever could have asked of the 36-year-old.

Within just hours of the non-waiver trade deadline, the Atlanta Braves may have finally found a trade partner for veteran infielder Brandon Phillips in the Los Angeles Angels. Talk of a deal brewing first came about when Phillips was scratched from Thursday night’s lineup minutes before the Braves’ game against the Cubs.

At 36 years old, Phillips has put up some pretty impressive numbers for the Braves, posting a .291 average with 27 doubles, 11 homers, and just 57 strikeouts in his 120 games with the club. A crowded infield, however, has been slowly pushing BP out the door since Ozzie Albies was called up on August 1st.

Talks of a trade became more serious throughout Thursday night. At the time of this writing, here is the latest we have on a potential deal:

Further information about a deal will be provided as soon as an agreement is reached.

UPDATE:  We have an agreement…

Phillips has a 12-team ‘no trade’ clause in his contract, which the Braves were still required to honor.  While with Cincinnati, however, he had obtained a full no-trade right in the form of “10-and-5” rights:  10 years or more in the league and at least 5 of those with the same team.

The Braves negotiated the latter out in the form of a $500K “assignment bonus” in the event of a future trade.  However, the Angels were said to be on the 12-team no-go list, but Phillips has reportedly waived that in exchange for the $500,000.

(No word at this hour on whether that was paid by Atlanta or the Angels)

The Return

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Don’t look for Tony Sanchez on any ‘top prospect’ lists – he’s not there because of his age (29).  But he once was:  Sanchez is a former 4th overall pick of the Pirates, though, from 2009.

Sanchez has some major league experience – that with the Pirates in the form of cups of coffee in 2013, ’14, and ’15.  He is a “AAAA” backup catcher type, and has bounced around various AAA clubs (Giants/Blue Jays/Angels) since then.

The Braves will likely get that little bit of salary relief as well (I doubt they held the Angels hostage for the full amount Phillips is actually due for the next 5 weeks since Cincinnati sent over $13 million).  At least they get an extra catcher that they might actually try to use next week while we await the return of Tyler Flowers.

Not much, but it is what it is.

So maybe we haven’t seen the last of him?

Next: A Thorn in the Side

But Brandon Phillips is now headed for a contender – with a lineup that now includes Justin Upton in addition to Albert Pujols, Mike Trout, and… yes, Andrelton Simmons.

Good luck BP – it should be a fun ride for you!

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