Behind Phillips, Herrera awaits chance at 2B

CINCINNATI — When the Reds traded Jay Bruce to the Mets in a deal that brought Dilson Herrera on Aug. 1, they believed they got their second baseman of the future. When exactly that future arrives for Herrera to get his chance remains unknown for now.

That’s a somewhat sticky situation because the Reds still have Brandon Phillips at second base for potentially one more year. Phillips will earn $14 million in the final year of his contract and has full no-trade protection.

“I don’t really know,” Herrera said during Redsfest when asked about when his chance might come. “I will do my best. Everybody wants an opportunity to be in the big leagues. I can’t control the rest.”

One day, sooner or later, the Reds could have a lasting middle-infield combo of Herrera and Jose Peraza. The shortstop situation is also in limbo as veteran Zack Cozart is also under club control for one more season before free agency. If Cozart and Phillips aren’t traded, they will likely open 2017 as the main double-play duo.

A native of Colombia who will turn 23 on March 3, Herrera has a career slashline of .298/.362/.468 in six Minor League seasons and is viewed to have plenty of ceiling room …

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