Braves just made the Reds' bullpen problem much more expensive

The Atlanta Braves struck the biggest free agent deal of the offseason so far after agreeing to a three-year, $35 million contract with former Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips. The Braves are taking on quite the gamble given Phillips' recent injury history, and this deal could have a trickle-down effect that may keep the Cincinnati Reds on the sideline until the impending lockout is lifted.

Phillips has been a quality reliever in the past, but after suffering an elbow injury and undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2025, he missed all but seven games that year the first-half of the 2026 season. He returned to make 31 appearances out of the Dodgers' bullpen in 2026, covered 26 innings…