As I was driving home listening to MLB radio, they said Brandon Phillips had tweeted them the following: “513 to 202.” Those are the area codes of Cincinnati and Wash, DC. That was about 9;30pm. When I got home I checked some of the baseball web sites and at 10pm, Ken Rosenthal (who is almost always right on this kind of news) reported that Phillips was signing with the Nats. I have no details yet, and it’s past my bed-time:)
Update as of 10am, Saturday, Dec. 19: the deal is pausing as the three parties deal with what is likely a last-minute demand for more from Brandon Phillips. I’m staying g on top of this.
Update as of 5pm Saturday, same date. The deal is off. Nat’s said take our offer as is. Phillips said no trade. That’s all she wrote.
Changing the subject, It’s clear to me Papelbon is killing Rizzo’s ability to attract the best players (such as Hayward and Zobrist). The Nats should buy out his contract and cut him loose.
Pete's Curveball 
Yep, looks like the deal is off…which means we will wake up to find the trade is complete and there;s a Monday signing ceremony! Rizzo is a clown and if it is true, and I think it is, that Paplebon is keeping other top free agents from coming here then they have to get rid of him…except that Lerner was on the airwaves last week and I certainly got the impression that Papelbon will be here.
yes, it looks like the Lerners and Rizzo are determined to wreck the Nats. Wierd and sad.