June 2012 - Cincinnati Reds Wiretap

The Reds earned their 10,000th victory as a franchise on Friday as they defeated the Cubs 9-4 at Wrigley Field. They were formed in 1882 as the Cincinnati Red Stockings and are the sixth organization in Major League history to win 10,000 games. The Giants, Cubs, Dodgers, Cardinals and Braves are the only others to reach the mark. The Yankees have the most all-time victories among American League teams, with 9,775. "It's a lot of wins. There's only [six] that have that, so now we're the sixth," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "That means we've been around a long time, and that means they've done a lot of winning in the process."

Before he broke into the Major Leagues, Joey Votto had a desire to become the highest-paid Canadian baseball player. The Reds first baseman saw Larry Walker sign a six-year, $75 million deal with the Rockies in 2000. Minnesota's Justin Morneau surpassed that in 2008 with a six-year, $80 million deal. "I didn't know if it was possible, but I wanted to some day be the highest paid Canadian player," Votto said. "I'm sure Brett Lawrie feels the same way." When Votto received a 10-year, $225 million deal from Cincinnati before the season, he became Canada's richest professional athlete and the owner of the fourth-highest contract in baseball history.

Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez collected his first Major League hit in a 3-2 victory over the Reds on Thursday afternoon. Gonzalez swung at a Mat Latos pitch and singled to left in the fifth inning. He could be seen smiling after reaching first base, while getting a loud ovation from the sellout crowd. "Big smile, big smile," Gonzalez said. "If you are not smiling, you have no blood. Latos is a great pitcher. I was trying to make contact. I was fortunate enough to put wood on it, and I got something going."

Brandon Phillips didn't expect to remain in Cincinnati when news broke that Joey Votto had signed a 10-year, $225 million contract extension with the Reds. "I thought I was gone," Phillips said. "I really didn't think this was going to happen, ever." It did happen. On Tuesday, the second baseman signed a six-year contract worth $72.5 million that will keep him with the Reds through 2017. "I'm not going to lie to you. This is probably the first time I've ever been nervous," Phillips said during his press conference. "I cried about this. This is where I wanted to be."

The Reds have agreed to a six-year contract extension with Brandon Phillips. Phillips signed a four-year, $27 million deal before the 2008 season that had a $12 million option for 2012. The new contract replaces the old one and runs through the 2017 season. The deal is worth $72.5 million.

Brandon Phillips is keeping quiet while closing in on a contract extension with the Reds. Phillips said over the weekend that he's not going to discuss an extension that's been in the works since last season. "I'm talking about winning and I'm here with the team," he said. "If it has anything to do with money, I'm not talking about it. It (money) does talk, but I'm not talking about that. Winning is better." Phillips agreed to a four-year deal before the 2008 season that included a $12 million option for 2012. He batted .300 with 18 homers and 82 RBIs last season.

The Reds have offered Brandon Phillips a five-year contract extension worth between $62.5 million and $65 million dollars, according to a source. Cincinnati handed out a $225 million contract to Joey Votto earlier this week, the largest deal in franchise history.

The Reds continue to discuss a new contract with Brandon Phillips, but they have been talking for a year now. Phillips, 30, will earn $12.5 million this season in the final year of his contract. The two sides remain apart on both dollars and length of contract, sources say. The Dodgers, under new ownership, would be one potential suitor for Phillips, though Mark Ellis is under contract for $5.25 million in 2013.

The Reds have claimed pitcher Alfredo Simon off waivers from the Orioles, according to a source. The right-hander, who made 16 starts and 23 appearances in Baltimore, was placed on waivers on Friday.

With Ryan Madson out for the season, the Reds will use left-hander Sean Marshall as their closer. "Sean Marshall's our closer for now," Dusty Baker said. The lefty went 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA in 11 innings over 10 Cactus League outings. "He's closed a few games, not a lot," Baker said. "He can throw that breaking ball for strikes anytime he gets ready and that's hard to do in Arizona with this light air and all. He's not fazed by situations. He's been around awhile. He's a veteran guy and has had success."