The Phillies have at least three teams interested in trading for Phillies second baseman Chase Utley. But for any deal to happen, Utley would have to clear waivers first, allowing the Phillies to negotiate a trade in which they eat salary. The Phillies are one step closer to being able to deal their second baseman.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports:
Sources: Utley cleared waivers. Can be traded to any club. Has right to veto any deal as player with 10 years service, five with same team.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 11, 2015
Whether Utley agrees to a deal could depend on his role with a new team.
On MLB Network Radio on Tuesday afternoon, former general manager Jim Bowden said that the Phillies and Giants were talking an Utley deal. However, the plan for the Giants would be to start Utley until Joe Panik returns from the disabled list, at which point Utley would move to a bench role. Utley, who lives in the San Francisco area, may not wish to take that deal.
Besides the Giants, Bowden said that the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees are interested. The Cubs recently demoted shortstop Starlin Castro in favor of Addison Russell, who was playing second base. Utley would be an upgrade over the Cubs playing Tommy La Stella. The Cubs are eight and a half games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central, but currently are in the second wild card slot.
Bowden said the Yankees have lesser interest compared to the other two teams, but the Yankees remain interested in Utley. Stephen Drew has been the starting second baseman for the Yankees, but is hitting .192. Yes, Utley is batting .190 himself, but has shown in early play since returning from the disabled list to be improved at the plate.
Bowden said that the Angels interest was reported, but does not appear to be there.
