Looking for insurance at second base given the slow recovery of Dustin Pedroia, the Red Sox have agreed to a minor-league contract with Brandon Phillips, a three-time All-Star second baseman with the Cincinnati Reds who turns 37 Thursday.
Phillips, a 16-year MLB veteran, hasn't played this season and spent 24 games with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017 after beginning the season with the Atlanta Braves. He hit .255 with the Angels and .291 in 120 games with the Braves. He totaled homers and 60 RBI and 11 steals between the two teams.
His best years were in Cincinnati, where he was a National League All-Star in 2010, 2011 and 2013. He has 210 career homers.
With Pedroia still unable to participate in baseball activity as he comes back from offseason knee surgery and the Sox using Brock Holt (.299, one homer 17 RBI) and Eduardo Nunez (.253, four homers, 18 RBI) at second, they've been looking for some help at the position. Phillips will undoubtedly need minor-league time and some success there before he's ready to get a major-league look.