Report: Reds Brandon Phillips blocked trade to Braves

Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips blocked a trade in November that would have sent him to the Atlanta Braves, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

It’s the third time in the last year Phillips has blocked a trade. The Reds had deals in place to trade Phillips to the Nationals and Diamondbacks last year. As a 10-and-5 player — 10 years in the majors, the past five with the same team, Phillips can veto any trades.

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Phillips, 35, is entering the final year of a six-year, $72.5 million contract. He’s due to make $14 million this season.

The Reds, in the midst of a rebuild, are looking to trade Phillips, their longest-tenured player, and shortstop Zack Cozart to open up playing time for 22-year-olds Dilson Hererra (second base) and Jose Peraza (shortstop).

Peraza hit .324 with 25 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 72 games for the Reds last season, and Herrera hit .274 with 15 homers and 64 RBIs in 110 Triple-A games last season.

Reds manager Bryan Price said last month at the Winter Meetings that Peraza is a "major leaguer" who "has got to play."

Phillips hit .291 with 11 home runs and 64 RBIs last season, his 11th with the Reds. A four-time Gold Glove winner and three-time All Star, Phillips came to the Reds in trade with the Indians in 2006.

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