GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Perhaps not wanting to stir the pot on the first full-squad workout day at Reds camp, second baseman Brandon Phillips avoided or deflected any questions about his offseason being filled with trade speculation.
"It was different. But I'm happy I still have a job," Phillips said on Tuesday. "I'm happy I'm still playing this game that I love. And I'm going to go out there and bust my [butt] regardless."
Votto getting used to new Reds faces
During the offseason, Phillips declined a potential trade to the Nationals by invoking veto rights obtained by having at least 10 years of service, including the last five with the same club. Phillips did not offer insight about how close he came to moving, or what was behind his decision making.
"I don't know nothing about that stuff. I'm just here to play this game that I love. I'm just happy to still be wearing this Reds jersey," Phillips said.
"The only thing I know is, I'm still playing for the Reds. I'm happy to be here. Whatever things you've all heard, or whatever, that's what ya'll really heard, I can't really speak on many things. I just laugh at the many things that happened. I just know that I'm very happy to still be here and I'm playing this game that I really love."
• Reds' Spring Training info
Phillips, 34, has two years and $27 million remaining on his contract. The Reds acquired a potential future second baseman from the Dodgers in Jose Peraza, in a December three-team deal that sent Todd Frazier to the White Sox. There has been focus on how much playing time Peraza might get in Cincinnati with Phillips on the team. Manager Bryan Price said during the offseason that Phillips would remain his regular second baseman.
"I didn't really hear anything," Phillips said of Peraza and Price. "All that I know is that I've just been playing this game that I love and I'm happy to still be playing for the Reds. Whatever things that the manager said, and the GM and the baseball operation guys, whatever they said is what they said. I just came to camp ready to play this game that I love."
Worth noting:
• All 62 players on the spring roster reported to camp on Tuesday morning and participated in the first full-squad workout in the afternoon.
• Among the instructors in camp on Tuesday were Reds greats Barry Larkin and Eric Davis. Larkin was hired in 2015 as a Minor League roving infield instructor. Davis has been a special assistant to the general manager since '08.