Zach Buchanan

zbuchanan@enquirer.com

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Brandon Phillips entered spring training Tuesday as the starting second baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, the same role he’s held since joining the club in 2007. And that’s despite the rebuilding organization’s winter efforts to make him the starting second baseman for someone else.

The 34-year-old Phillips vetoed deals to both the Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks in the offseason. Players who have at least five years with their current club and 10 years of total service time cannot be traded without their approval.

Not that Phillips wanted to discuss any of that.

“All I know is I’m still playing for the Reds and I’m happy to still play this game that I really love,” Phillips said.

Just about the only thing Phillips was willing to take a strong stance on was what he viewed as an underrating of his team. The Reds are widely expected to not be competitive as they enter the season with a young rotation and bullpen.

“It really sucks just hearing people have already put us at the bottom,” Phillips said. “It really sucks, but the thing is all we can do is go out there and prove people wrong. I don’t believe in the word ‘rebuilding.’ Telling the city we’re not going to win, I don’t believe in that. Every major-leaguer comes to spring training trying to win and trying to get to the World Series.”