Cincinnati Reds’ Brandon Phillips blocks potential trade to Atlanta Braves

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips invoked his no-trade clause in November to block a potential trade to the Atlanta Braves, MLB Network reported.

Phillips, 35, has used his no-trade clause three times according to MLB.com. Phillips nixed a trade to the Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks last winter.

The Braves proceeded to sign infielder Sean Rodriguez to a two-year, $11.5 million contract and do not plan to reengage in talks with the Reds over Phillips, per MLB Network.

“We explore a myriad of trade opportunities, some which make more progress than others, and some which get more media attention than others,” Braves general manager John Coppolella told MLB.com. “Trades aren’t done until they are done.”

Players with at least 10 years of major league service time who have spent five consecutive seasons with the same team are awarded 10-and-5 rights, which function as a full no-trade clause.

Phillips is owed $14 million in 2017, which is the final season of his six-year, $72.5 million deal.

The three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award-winner is a lifetime .275 hitter with 197 home runs, 889 RBIs and 198 stolen bases in 1,749 career games with the Reds and Cleveland Indians.

Last season, Phillips hit .291 with 11 homers, 64 RBIs and 14 steals in 141 games.

Phillips played his first four seasons with Cleveland from 2002 to 2005 before being traded to Cincinnati on April 7, 2006. The Indians obtained him along with Grady Sizemore and Cliff Lee from the Montreal Expos on June 27, 2002 from Bartolo Colon, who signed with the Braves