The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Phillips excels after move to third base
DENVER — Brandon Phillips hasn’t been a serviceable third baseman since he was asked at the beginning of the month to move to that position, which he had played for one game in Double-A in 2001 and never since.
He’s not been serviceable; he’s been far more than that.
In fact, everyone I’ve talked to about it seems to be in agreement he’s been a good defensive third baseman for these past 12 Braves games since making the move he wasn’t thrilled about making. But he had little choice in the matter once the Braves decided to call up second-base prospect Ozzie Albies.
It was either play third base or don’t play. The Braves made it clear to Phillips that they wanted to, needed to and were going to get a good look at Albies.
So Phillips, a 36-year-old former three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove second baseman, thought about it briefly. He then told manager Brian Snitker he’d do it. He worked out at third base before batting practice the next day (Aug. 2) before starting that night’s game at a position he’d not played in 16 years. And he handled the position flawlessly from the jump. Phillips might be relatively old by baseball standards, but the dude — Dat Dude — is still in great shape, despite some aches and pains, and more important because he retains some seriously strong skills and sharp reflexes.
What Phillips personally thinks about the move and subsequent results isn’t clear, as he’s thus far declined to discuss anything third-base related. And that’s certainly his prerogative. If his pride was initially hurt or if he was just ticked off at being asked to move, who can blame him?
It was made clear by the Braves all along after trading for Phillips just before spring training that when Albies was ready, he would not be blocked by Phillips. And even though Phillips surpassed most expectations this season at the plate, when the Braves decided it was time to look at Albies the rest of the season to plan for next season, they did it.
That doesn’t mean Phillips, who was raised in metro Atlanta (Stone Mountain) and has really enjoyed playing at home, had to agree or like the decision to have Albies supplant him.
But he made the move, and he’s excelled at third base. In fact, at this stage of his career, I think Phillips is a better third baseman than second baseman. Really.
And if Phillips thinks about it, which I’m sure he probably has now that it’s been a couple of weeks since the move, moving to third and showing he can play it well is the best thing that could’ve happened to him going forward if he wants to continue playing, which he does. I mean, how many teams would be looking to sign a 36-year-old free agent who plays second base and second base alone? And who’s had some nagging injuries and isn’t the top-of-the-charts defender he once was at the position?
Not many teams, if any, would’ve been interested in signing him to anything more than perhaps a oneyear, low-salary deal, if a guaranteed deal at all.
But if teams believe he can play both second base and third base? Well, Phillips could get interest as a legit backup and a guy who could start at either of two positions for an extended period if a team had an injury.
Bench players need to play more than one position these days unless they really have a particular tool that makes them exceptional enough to take up a 25-man roster spot, despite the lack of defensive flexibility. If they’re a big-time power hitter, for instance, then some teams are willing to carry such a player for that threat off the bench. But for a player like Phillips, being able to man a couple of infield positions instead of just one might mean the difference in drawing some degree of free-agent interest.
Who knows? Maybe even the Braves might want to consider keeping him? Crazier things have happened (like, for instance, asking a 36-yearold second baseman to move to third base in the middle of a season).
And if he can play third — which he’s shown he clearly can, and play it well — then teams will probably assume he can play a sound first base, too.