Reds GM: Yankees leaked Brandon Phillips trade rumor as negotiating tactic

It remains to be seen whether Walt Jocketty will trade Brandon Phillips. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Second baseman Brandon Phillips has been the subject of trade rumors for much of the offseason, but Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said on Saturday that any rumors linking him to the Yankees were leaked by New York as a negotiating tactic in their dealings with Robinson Cano.

Cano signed a 10-year deal with Seattle on Friday, and the Yankees reportedly inquired about Phillips as a Plan B.

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With Jocketty's latest statement, it appears any potential deal is off the table.

Phillips, who is 32, has four years and $50 million left on his contract. He is coming off a solid year in which he finished fourth in the National League with 103 RBIs and won his fourth Gold Glove.

In 12 major league seasons, Phillips has a .271 batting average, 166 home runs and 704 RBIs.