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MLB trade rumors: Top 25 trade assets for deadline

By Joshua Sadlock

Jun 24, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) smiles while on deck during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) smiles while on deck during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 23, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) reacts after a double play ending the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) reacts after a double play ending the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

21. Brandon Phillips

In his age-36 season, three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glover Branon Phillips has turned back the clock. The Reds had made it clear in no uncertain terms that Phillips would lose playing time to Jose Peraza if he did not accept a trade before this season, so he finally exercised his no-trade clause and went home to Georgia.

The Braves are unlikely to immediately flip Phillips away from his hometown team without getting input on where he would like to go. He has only played in the postseason three times in his 16-year career, and should welcome a chance to play for a winner instead of hanging around for the rebuild in Atlanta. Or, Phillips may prefer to play the last two or three years of his stellar career with the Braves. Hitting in SunTrust Park has been kind to him, and could help him boost his numbers into Hall of Fame consideration.

Phillips would be a welcome addition to a team like the Blue Jays who need a second baseman to fill in for Devon Travis while he deals with another knee injury. He is having his best season since 2011, but has never really seen a dropoff in his numbers as he ages into his late-thirties. The Braves should have no problem trading Phillips for a top-five prospect if he is on board with a deal. Teams unwilling to pay up with an elite prospect for an aging rental at second base could consider making a push for Josh Harrison of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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