Fansided

Each MLB team’s best trade ever

By Joshua Sadlock

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 19: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers takes a swing during an at-bat in a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 19, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 6-2. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 19: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers takes a swing during an at-bat in a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 19, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 6-2. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 16: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Cincinnati Reds throws the ball to firstbase to complete a double play in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 16, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 16: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Cincinnati Reds throws the ball to firstbase to complete a double play in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 16, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Reds: Brandon Phillips from the Indians, 2006

  • Reds get: Brandon Phillips
  • Cleveland Indians get: Player to be named later which turned into Jeff Stevens

Heading into the 2006 season, the Indians were ready to give up on second baseman Brandon Phillips. He had been one of the centerpieces in the trade that sent Bartolo Colon to the Expos and landed Cleveland Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore as well (2002 was the summer of Omar Minaya running the Expos into the ground with the express written consent of Major League Baseball). Phillips had played himself out of the Indians long-term plans by batting .206/.246/.310 in part of four seasons.

Rather than release him, the Indians flipped him for a PTBNL to the Reds and Phillips took off almost immediately in his new setting. In his first full season in the big leagues, he batted .276/.324/.427 with 28 doubles, 17 home runs and 75 RBI from the top of the order. With the Reds, Phillips emerged as one of the best defensive second basemen in baseball with plenty of pop in his bat, speed on the bases and personality to spare.

The Reds eventually had to trade Phillips to continue their youth movement, but he ended his tenure in the Queen City with a .279/.325/.429 slash line with 1,774 hits, 194 homers and 191 stolen bases. He made the All-Star team four times, won three Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger. The Reds also made the playoffs three times with Phillips, where he batted .325/.317/.575 with two homers and eight RBI.

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