"Breakout season" is a term used frequently with San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik. Though Panik may have been rushed to the big leagues out of necessity, Panik has established himself as a major league player. In 2015, Panik reached new levels, batting .309 with an OPS of .816. The Giants are very much in playoff contention and Panik has been in the middle of it. But now Panik is hurt.
The Giants placed Panik on the 15-day disabled list Monday with lower back inflammation. Tuesday, Panik underwent a series of tests to determine just what is causing the inflammation. If the the Giants receive news that Panik will miss significant time, the Giants may make the perfect trade partner for the Phillies for Chase Utley.
The Giants have made an attempt to acquire Utley in trade before. Former general manager Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio has said multiple times that Utley has rejected trades as many as three times. Jim Bowden, also a former general manager and also of MLB Network Radio, said Wednesday that Utley's stance on a trade may have changed since the trade of Cole Hamels to the Texas Rangers.
Chances are the Phillies already put Utley on waivers. Should Utley clear (a likely scenario given his contract) the Phillies would certainly talk trade with the Giants. Utley still has full veto power for any trade, but the Giants have one reason for Utley to accept: Utley lives in nearby Sausalito, California. With Utley's rehab going well, he could be ready to play in the big leagues any day now.
The Giants have not been linked to Utley this go around, but depending how Panik's situation turns out, that could quickly change.
