In an ESPN Baseball Tonight podcast from last night hosted by Buster Olney, baseball writer Jayson Stark indicated that the Phillies, despite people's claims that General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. is "delusional", the Phillies are getting ready to start selling players. In the last few days, Amaro has started to indicate that he could be selling, and for good reason: the Phillies are 8.5 games out of first place in the National League East and also 8.5 games out of what would be the second wild card spot.
And when you look at the Phillies' place in the standings, Stark says the Phillies are "getting ready to sell…gearing up to sell". Simply put, there is no reason to believe the Phillies have what it takes to go on a streak that would help them make up serious ground. And despite some people's thoughts (including my own) that Amaro is in some sort of denial, Stark thinks Amaro is ready to sell:
"I think that people who have been concluding that Ruben is deluding himself or misleading himself, are reading him wrong. He was just committed to waiting as long as possible and we're about two weeks away from seeing the Phillies being one of the most interesting sellers in baseball".
So could the Phillies move Chase Utley? Olney sees Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Baltimore Orioles
For this to happen, both Olney and Stark believe that Amaro and Utley would have to have some sort of heart to heart meeting to discuss the possibility first. Much of what happens will come down to Utley's desires.
"They need to know what Chase is thinking on a number of fronts, first of all contract. He's a free agent after this year and I know he's told people he thinks, the way he's playing right now…he thinks he can play four or five more years…. I just don't see the Phillies committing for that length".
Utley is a fan favorite and means so much to the history of the Philadelphia Phillies.
"I get the sense they're torn on this…they've got guys who can play second base and they have people in the organization saying that it's time to move on, it's time to move him."
Stark notes just how loyal Philadelphia Phillies President Dave Montgomery is and Utley would be a player for whom the team has much affection. I do think that there is precedent in how fans would deal with that emotional attachment.
In 1997 the Phillies were in the first legs of turning the team over to the Scott Rolens and Mike Lieberthals in the system. Darren Daulton was not the player he used to be, but still played with such determination and impact. The Phillies traded the life-long Phillie to the Florida Marlins for outfield prospect Billy McMillon. Phillies fans rooted for Daulton the whole way until he earned a World Series Championship with the Marlins.
Of course, back in 1997 we all pretty much knew that Daulton would likely retire at season's end and there will be more to an Utley trade than pure emotion. Utley is still a valuable player who would net the Phillies a first round draft pick at the end of the season if he signs elsewhere as a free agent. With the Dodgers reportedly willing to go three years, $45 million, we know that a one-year qualifying offer would dwarf the money he would get. The Phillies would need to get a return in trade someone's equivalent to a first round pick and something else.
That trade may be hard to do. Utley could finish the season and go out with a bang like Pat Burrell in 2008. But if the Phillies get a decent return, we can root for Utley to win a World Series and be happy for him like Darren Daulton.
