Though likely to cause some Phillies fans to get upset, there will be no keeping second baseman Chase Utley out of trade discussion this trade season. While the Phillies just re-signed Utley last season with the idea that both sides were very committed to each other, that has not kept other teams from trying. According Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, there are at least two teams who are pursuing Utley.
Cafardo updates us on Chase Utley's status with the Phillies in this piece of news on the Chase Utley front:
Word is the Blue Jays are in on everyone, from David Price to Hamels to Ben Zobrist and Chase Utley. “They’ve got their scouts looking at everyone, and [GM Alex] Anthopoulos is very active himself scouting,” said one AL special adviser.
Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies — Right now it doesn’t appear that Utley is going anywhere because he can invoke his 10-5 rights and it looks as if he wants to remain in Philadelphia. But there’s time. And it hasn’t stopped teams such as the Blue Jays and Giants from taking their best shot, and they likely will through the end of the month.
Utley long has appeared unwilling to waive his no-trade clause. Perhaps the Southern California native would consider something in his home region in order to win.
Utley could simply deside to tune out all trade talk and retire with the Phillies. The ball is in Utley's court. That is, if the Phillies are even willing to move him for the world.
