Reds Ease Pressure for Brandon Phillips

The Reds have refused to burden second basemen Brandon Phillips with any undue pressure to top last year's spectacular production, with Phillips being quoted by WLW Radio as saying at the signing of his new contract that he'll be satisfied to hit 20 homers and steal 20 bags in 2008.

Having committed to a four-year, $27 million pact, the 5-foot 11, 185-pound Phillips will be under control through his 30th birthday and a bargain even though probably he cannot be expected to reach 30 homers again.