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Atlanta Braves second baseman Brandon Phillips is raking, while Peraza is not

By Josh Brown

Apr 16, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) reacts in the dugout after scoring a run in the fifth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres at SunTrust Park. The Braves won 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) reacts in the dugout after scoring a run in the fifth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres at SunTrust Park. The Braves won 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Reds’ logic to get rid of Brandon Phillips to make room for a new and upcoming young second baseman was sound logic. After all, Brandon Phillips was entering his age 35 season. But for Jose Peraza?

And to agree to pay $13MM of his remaining contract while receiving Carlos Portuondo (who’s now been released) and Andrew McKirahan? What were the Cincinnati Reds thinking? Or were they thinking? Or is Atlanta Braves‘ GM John Coppolella a member of the mob?

While Phillips’ glove isn’t really Gold  Glove caliber anymore, he did hit .291 last year and hit .335 after the All-Star Break. And while Phillips’ on-base numbers haven’t been great, the guy is still an elite hitter, and hits matter. And while he hasn’t been one of the best second basemen in the runs created category, the guy’s been playing for the Cincinnati Reds with Billy Hamilton hitting in front of him.

If you’re the Cincinnati Reds, and Jose Peraza is your guy, wouldn’t you at least keep Brandon Phillips for a bench option, given the Braves’ offer and given the amount of money you’d have to eat? You’d think so.

Plan B

The Atlanta Braves’ first plan was to acquire Sean Rodriguez to man second base while Ozzie Albies gets ready. Then, after an unfortunate turn of events, the Braves turned to Brandon Phillips. And it made complete sense. I wrote about it here.

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While BP wasn’t as versatile on the diamond, it made sense for two simple reasons – Brandon Phillips is really good at baseball and Brandon Phillips is from Georgia. To put icing on the cake, it turns out that Brandon Phillips is a also really good clubhouse guy, too. And much to the chagrin of Brian Kenny, chemistry matters.

So far, as we are entering the end of April, it looks like the Atlanta Braves made a great decision in trading a couple of minor league pitchers for Brandon Phillips. Heck, even if Phillips turns into being a bust, it’s still a great decision on the Braves’ part, and it’s still a foolish trade on the Reds’ part. Phillips is currently slashing .326/.380/.457 while his predecessor Jose Peraza is slashing .240/.255/.280.

Should Brandon Phillips continue to rake, it might make sense just to keep him if you’re the Atlanta Braves. Keep in mind, while Ozzie Albies is dominating AAA Gwinnett, he’s still just 20-years-old. Another year of minor league experience wouldn’t hurt Albies in any way.

Next: Dansby need that walk-off Monday night

Could the Braves flip Phillips sometime this season?  Well, sure.  Don’t put anything past John Coppolella. But if they don’t, it looks like Braves fans have themselves an elite hitting second baseman.

That’s something they’ve not had since Frank Wren decided to move Martin Prado to left field.

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