C. Trent Rosecrans, and Zach Buchanan

Cincinnati

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — On the eve of the start of the 2017 Reds spring training, the team took another step forward in its ongoing rebuild, trading long-time second baseman Brandon Phillips to the Braves for two minor-league pitchers.

For the Reds, this trade wasn’t about the return, it was about what it is leaving behind. The 35-year-old Phillips will one day be enshrined in the Reds Hall of Fame, but his best days are well behind him and with a bevy of middle infield prospects, the Reds are moving forward and parting with a big piece of the past.

“I think we all collectively thought this was the best move for the future of the organization,” Reds general manager Dick Williams said Sunday. “It’s tough when you say goodbye to a popular player like that, especially one that’s been with you a long time and his tenure has made such a connection to the fans. We’re not trying to win a popularity contest. We’re just trying to do what we collectively feel is the best for the longer term future of the organization.”

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The Reds will pay $13 million of Phillips’ remaining $14 million contract, while acquiring 27-year-old left-hander Andrew McKirahan and 29-year-old right-hander Carlos Portuondo.

The immediate future of the organization has Jose Peraza and Dilson Herrera in the middle infield along with veteran shortstop Zack Cozart. Cozart, like Phillips, is in his final year before he hits free agency and could be shopped to open up an everyday spot. As of now, the three — along with Arismendy Alcantara, Tony Renda, Zach Vincej and Hernan Iribarren — will get the bulk of the playing time in spring training.

Williams and the Reds have had trade discussions about the 32-year-old Cozart since last season, but have found the market limited. Because of his age and contract status, Cozart would be most attractive to a team that sees itself as a contender but suffers an injury at shortstop.

The Reds acquired Peraza, who has played shortstop, second base, center field and left field, in the December, 2014, three-team trade that sent Todd Frazier to the White Sox. He has been a key piece of the team’s future plans since then, but the Aug. 1 addition of Herrera in the Jay Bruce trade has increased the possibility he could end up at shortstop.

Just weeks ago, Reds manager Bryan Price said a lot could happen before Opening Day, so he was not interested in making too many predictions about playing time this season. Phillips’ trade emphasizes that point.

Herrera played in just 24 games for the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate in Louisville after the trade because of a shoulder injury. This spring, the team would like to get a closer look at Herrera, who turns 23 early next month.

“There should be plenty of at-bats to go around in spring training,” Williams said. “This trade does free up some opportunities for these guys and we hope they'll take advantage of it.”

The Reds had been actively shopping Phillips since 2013, when he had a 12-team no-trade clause and wouldn’t approve a deal with the Yankees. Since then, he earned full no-trade protection by accruing 10 years of service time with at least five with the same team.

Phillips rejected a trade to his hometown Braves earlier this offseason. Last winter he turned down deals to Arizona and Washington.

After Phillips spurned the Braves in November, Atlanta signed former Pirates infielder Sean Rodriguez to a two-year, $11.5 million deal to man second base. Rodriguez was involved in a deadly car crash last month and will reportedly miss several months due to shoulder surgery.

Williams said he and Price had honest conversations with Phillips about how his playing time could be cut short as the Reds look to the future this season. Phillips’ agents recently reached out to Williams to let him know Phillips would be open to a trade.

“The conversations we had were positive and they were open-ended in the sense of ‘let’s get to camp. We just want to be straight with you about where we are with the players we’re bringing and the priorities we have for them going forward,’” Williams said. “Those were good conversations between Brandon and myself. I know Bryan had some similar talks with him. That may have factored into his thinking. I really can’t speak for him.”

Phillips retains his 12-team no-trade clause with the Braves and will receive a $500,000 roster bonus in exchange for waiving his no-trade rights. In the process, the Reds received a lesser package than they would have in the original deal. Williams called McKirahan and Portuondo “minor-league depth.” Neither player is on the 40-man roster, nor will they be in big-league camp.

McKirahan is 27 and is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, performed last March. McKirahan reached the big leagues in 2015, putting up a 5.93 in 27 1/3 innings, all in relief. In 2015, he was suspended 80 games for violation of the league’s drug policy against performance-enhancing drugs.

The Braves signed Portuondo, 29, out of Cuba last February. He went 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA in 17 appearances and one start between high-A and Triple-A last season.

Sunday’s trade ends the 11-year tenure of Phillips in Cincinnati, where he became a no-doubt future member of the team’s Hall of Fame and a fan-favorite.

Phillips was acquired in the first week of the 2006 season in a trade with Cleveland, with the Reds sending minor-league pitcher Jeff Stevens to the Indians. In the 11 years since then, Phillips became the second-best second baseman in franchise history, collecting the most home runs (191), hits (1,774), RBI (651) and doubles (311) at the position for the Reds.

He’s seventh all-time among all Reds players in games played (1,614) and plate appearances (6,899). He’s ninth in franchise history in hits (1,774) and runs (877). He’s eighth in career doubles and 12th in home runs.

Along the way, Phillips made three All-Star teams and won four Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger. In 2007, he became just the third Reds player to finish with at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season. He also became a fan-favorite with his dazzling defense and sparkling smile.

The Reds gave him the six-year extension in 2012 after the team also rewarded Joey Votto. Later, Phillips would call the $72.5-million contract a “slap in the face.”

Phillips finished 13th in MVP voting in 2012, .281/.321/.429 with 18 home runs and 15 stolen bases. In the four seasons since then, he hasn’t been able to match or exceed that .750 OPS (on-base plus slugging).

Despite some nagging injuries, Phillips hit .291/.320/.416 with 11 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 2016.

The Reds now have 39 players on the 40-man roster and with Phillips gone, they could look to make a signing.

“We don’t rest. We’ll be looking,” Williams said. “We’re still looking to possibly do a signing here before things get going. We’re also always eyeing the waiver wire. We do have an open spot so that gives us a little flexibility.”