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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 9:19 a.m., Friday, February 15, 2008

Baseball: Reds, Phillips agree to $27M, 4-year deal

Associated Press

CINCINNATI — Second baseman Brandon Phillips has agreed to a $27 million, four-year deal, settling the Cincinnati Reds' final arbitration case.

The 26-year-old infielder had a breakout season last year, when he joined Alfonso Soriano as the only second basemen in major league history to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases.

Agents Sam and Seth Levinson negotiated the deal for Phillips, who wants to stay with the team that gave him a second chance by getting him from Cleveland in a trade. Phillips had asked for $4.2 million in arbitration, and the Reds had offered $2.7 million.

The new contract includes a club option for a fifth season. If Phillips is traded, it becomes a mutual option that would bring the total value of the contract to $43.25 million.