Apparently $72.5 million doesn’t elicit the kind of feelings most seem to think it would.
Cincinnati Reds star second baseman Brandon Phillips blasted the six-year deal he signed for that sum last year as a “slap in the face” this week.
In an interview with Cincinnati magazine where he is touted as “the most entertaining player in baseball”, Phillips added, when his deal is compared to the 10-years, $225 million the team gave fellow star player Joey Votto, “I’m still hurt. I’m still scarred.”
Of particular concern and trauma to Phillips seems the nature of how the two deals were orchestrated.
“I just feel like they didn’t have to sign Joey to that contract,” he told the magazine. “He still had two more years on his. For the front office to go out there and sign him before they sign me, and they knew I was going to be a free agent? I understand Joey’s a good player. He’s one of the best players in this game. But I feel like I am too. I told them that this is where I wanted to be. I begged them. I told everybody I want to finish my career here. And then they give someone a contract who didn’t ask for nothing?”
Just beyond the midway point in the season, the Reds find themselves five games behind St. Louis in the National League’s Central Division and among the league leaders in the wild card chase. And it’s all revolved around the middle-of-the-lineup potency of Phillips (.266, 12 HR, 77 RBIs) and Votto (.319, 15 HR, 42 RBIs)
“Brandon’s a teammate I’ve played with six, seven years now and I love playing with him,” Votto told The Cincinnati Inquirer. “I really have an immense amount of respect for him. Those comments have nothing to do with me. It doesn’t change a single thing, it makes me like him more, to be honest with you. He’s a refreshing guy because he is honest and he does tell people how he feels.”
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