The Nationals reportedly have agreed on a deal with the Reds to acquire veteran second baseman Brandon Phillips, according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal. As a player with 10 years of major league service and five consecutive with the same club, Phillips must waive his full no-trade protection to approve the move for the Nationals.
It's unclear what the Nationals are returning to Cincinnati in the trade.
Late Thursday night, Phillips tweeted "513 to 202" with an airplane emoji. 513 is Cincinnati's area code. When his plane landed, a second tweet followed: "#YeaBuddy...Touchdown in the 202!!!"
Phillips is owed $27 million over the final two years of his current deal. But it is believed the Nationals would have to add incentives - like more money or an extension - to coax Phillips to waive his no-trade protection.
With Ian Desmond leaving in free agency and Yunel Escobar traded last week, the Nationals will move Anthony Rendon to third base in 2016. That leaves Danny Espinosa and rookies Trea Turner and Wilmer Difo as the options for second base and shortstop. Espinosa is likely to receive the nod at shortstop leaving quite a bit of inexperience at second on the current roster. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo made a run at free agent Ben Zobrist to play second base, but the versatile veteran chose a deal with the Cubs instead.
If agreed upon, a trade reunites new Nationals skipper Dusty Baker with Phillips, who he managed in Cincinnati from 2008-2013. It would also bring the 34-year-old Phillips back to the organization that drafted him. Montreal selected Phillips in the second round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft before trading him to the Indians in 2002. He was then dealt to the Reds in 2006.
During his past 10 seasons in Cincinnati, Phillips batted .278/.325/.430, winning four Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger. He slashed .294/.328/.395 with 12 homers, 19 doubles, 70 RBIs and 69 runs scored in 2015.
Baker has repeatedly mentioned adding speed to his new ballclub. Phillips has swiped 184 bases in his career, including 23 in 26 attempts last season. He also could potentially fill the need for a leadoff hitter and be slotted atop Baker's lineup, though he walked just 28 times in 2015.
Phillips, who will turn 35 in June, has proved very durable in Cincinnati, averaging 147 games played per season over his last 10 years.
Update: The Nationals have agreed to a minor league contract with left-hander Aaron Laffey that includes an invitation to major league spring training. Laffey is an eight-year major league veteran who appeared in three games with the Rockies last season, going 1-0 with a 3.68 ERA. He was 5-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 27 games, including 12 starts, with Triple-A Albuquerque. Over his major league career with the Rockies, Blue Jays, Mets, Yankees, Mariners and Indians, the 30-year-old native of Cumberland, Md., is 26-29 with a 4.44 ERA.