CINCINNATI -- With every big deal, the small-market Cincinnati Reds show they're serious about winning.

The Reds made another significant financial commitment on Tuesday, giving All-Star second baseman Brandon Phillips a six-year, $72.5 million contract. That came only five days after former NL MVP Joey Votto got 10 years and $225 million added to his deal.

They're all in for a run of playoff appearances.

"I think this puts us in a pretty good position to build around two premier players on the everyday side, and with some of the pitchers we have to be a contending club for years to come, hopefully," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "It's not easy. A lot of things have to go right for you.

"But we're getting deeper and deeper in talent. That's what it's going to take in a small market."

Phillips' deal, in the works since last year, is the last major one for a while.

The Reds couldn't agree on the length of a new deal with Phillips, so they exercised the 2012 option on his old contract worth $12.5 million. They remained at odds until the Reds agreed to a longer deal.