The Cincinnati Reds came to terms with their final, and probably most important, possible arbitration case on Friday. They agreed to terms with second baseman, Brandon Phillips on a four-year contract that will have him in Red pinstripes until 2011. There is a club option for 2012 as well. The contract is worth at least $27 million. Phillips is guaranteed the $27 million and if the Reds pick up his option in 2012 he would get $12 million for that season. With the way the contract was done, Phillips stands to make around $43.25 million when its all said and done.

This is a great decision by the guys in the front office for the Reds. Phillips was seeking just a one-year contract for around $4.2 million. The Reds were only offering him $2.7 million though. Rather than going to arbitration, Reds GM Wayne Krivsky approached Phillips agent to try to work out a long term contract. Phillips was very excited at the fact that Krivsky was looking to lock him up for more than just one year.

"The Reds gave me a second chance," Phillips said. "They opened up the door for me - the city welcomed me with open arms."

Phillips, acquired by the Reds from the Indians on April 7, 2006, for pitcher Jeff Stevens, was paid $408,000 last season.

Phillips' agent told him that he was going to be losing money by signing the long-term contract, but he didn't care. He stated, "I just wanted the Reds to sign me to a long-term deal. I've said that since day one. I don't care about losing money and stuff - the Reds are my home now." That's so refreshing to hear. Phillips just wants to play ball in a place he knows he's appreciated. Reds fans love Phillips and should be excited that the management was able to come to a deal with him to keep him around for several years to come.

Last season Phillips hit .288, hit 30 homeruns and drove in 94 runs. He also stole 32 bases and scored 107 runs, finishing ninth in the national league in both categories. Phillips became just the second second baseman in Major League history to hit at least 30 homeruns and steal 30 bases in the same season.  Among all second baseman in the majors last season, Phillips was in the top three in almost every offensive category. In addition to his great offensive numbers, Phillips showed he could handle the glove as well as he finished the season committing just eight errors in 158 games, which translates to a .990 fielding percentage. He gave the Reds some much needed defense up the middle of the field.

The singing of Phillips by the Reds was very important. This is a guy they should not let get away. He's only 25 years old and has unlimited potential. They picked him up last year on a whim, hoping he would live up to his potential that management/scouts spotted in him in the Indians minor league system. Well he did that and then some. Nobody expected him to finish as a 30/30 guy or drive in almost 100 runs. He helped set up the lineup wherever he hit. If he was at the top of the order he was able to get on base. If he hit in the heart of the order he was able to drive in runs. Phillips is exactly the type of player the Reds need as the youth movement starts to go into effect on the team.