The Reds came in ridiculously cheap on their arbitration offer to Brandon Phillips. Phillips is eligible for arbitration and filed his expected salary, which in the context of the inflated salaries of the sport, was very reasonable. The Reds filed $2.7 million for Phillips while his agent filed $4.2 million. The $4.2 million would still make him the 6th highest paid player on the team. Why not lock Phillips up long term at that $4.2 million per year amount. It would be a bargain considering BP was only the team's second 30/30 guy in team history. Griffey's salary will be gone (not really off the books) after this season, maybe Dunn's as well. In baseball terms, $4.2 million for a guy who plays marvelous defense in the infield, hits for power and contact and steals bases, well that to me seems like a no brainer. Maybe the Reds offer was just part of the arbitration game, but it sure seemed like a move from the Carl Lindner era to me. Castellini was able to sign Harang and Arroyo to below market value long term deals. Why can't he do the same with BP?

The Reds are also going to arbitration with pitcher Matt Belisle, but they are "only" $650,000 apart with Belisle filing for $1.65 million and the Reds countering with $1 million. I think the Reds could win this case.