Reds' manager foresees Phillips as their second baseman

As spring training inches closer with every passing day, Brandon Phillips still remains a member of the Cincinnati Reds, and although he's almost been traded during the offseason, the team now expects him to be their second baseman in 2016.

"It looks like Brandon is with us. Brandon, for me, is a second baseman of tremendous value and talent, it's hard to just assign someone else that job," manager Bryan Price told reporters at the team's caravan event on Sunday. "If Brandon's with us, I expect him to be playing second base."

The 34-year-old has no full no-trade protection thanks to his 10-and-5 rights, which he's used to veto trades to the Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks and it doesn't look like any other suitors are contacting the team about his services.

"I haven't had any discussions since the Arizona thing and he didn't accept that one," president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty said. "I think they're done."

Although Phillips could have his playing time challenged by Jose Peraza, who the Reds acquired in a three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox, the veteran isn't viewed by Price as anything but a starter.

"I think the thing is, we want this kid (Peraza) to play and play as much as possible. Everyone knows what's out there, there's no secret that there was an effort to trade Brandon this offseason, so there's no reason for me to beat around the bush about that, that's a fact," Price explained. "The truth of the matter is, he's here, he wants to remain with the Reds. I just don't, at this point in time, see him as a bench player."

Phillips hit .294/.328/.395 with 12 home runs, 70 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases last season. He still has two years remaining on his current contract.