Phillips update: Four years, $27 million

I just got off the phone with Brandon Phillips. His hapiness with getting the multiyear deal he agreed to is tempered by a rough case of the flu.

He confirmed he signed.

Update: The deal is for four years with a club option for a fifth. That keeps Phillips with the Reds at least until 2011 and probably till 2012. The deal is for $27 million.

Phillips was sick enough that he didn't want to tlak. "Man, I'm sicker than a dog," he said. "Can you call me back tomorrow?"

Phillips said he's coming to Sarasota Sunday.

"I just got back from Cincinnati," he said. "Dr. (Tim) Kremchek told me to wait until then. He gave me some (medicine."

How long's the deal?

"You'll find later today," he said.

By the way, I'm at the Ed Smith Complex. It's 72 and sunny. Sorry, had to do that. A lot of players are here. Ken Griffey Jr. is among them. Conditioning coach Matt Krause had Griffey out running bases on the Joe Morgan Field.

Also saw Aaron Harang, Kent Mercker, Bill Bray, Jay Bruce, Todd Coffey, Gary Majewski, David Ross and about five guys I don't recognize. Thirty-five guys have already showed up.

So, Jay, are you here to make the club?

"Absolutely, no doubt about it," he said. "It's my goal. I'm going to show them what I can do."

Mercker instantly becomes the funniest guy on the roster. He commented on hair cut.
"It make you look younger . . . than the pope."