No reason was given as to why Phillips didn't waive his 10-and-5 rights. Reports surfaced on Friday, however, that Phillips may have wanted financial compensation for accepting the trade. Phillips, 34, is set to make $27 million over the next two seasons.
Phillips tweeted "513 to 202" on Thursday night, a reference to the area codes of Cincinnati and Washington, D.C. While that message certainly could be partly in reference to the trade talks, Phillips also apparently did make that very trip, from Cincinnati to Washington, for an unrelated matter.
With Phillips likely out of the picture, the Nationals will continue to look for a second baseman.