Just minutes before the trade deadline on Friday afternoon, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reported that the Chicago Cubs were showing some late interest on second baseman Chase Utley. With just a few minutes to go, it is no surprise that the two teams did not get a deal done. Now as Utley begins a rehab assignment at AAA Lehigh Valley on Sunday, the two sides might be able to make a deal during the waiver trade period.
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times writes:
The Cubs aren’t done looking for players to help down the stretch, and sources say one of the players they’ve discussed internally as a potential August waiver-period target is Phillies second baseman Chase Utley.
That would have to involve cash going to the Cubs to offset the $5 million or so that would be left on Utley’s contract, a source confirmed.
Wittenmyer reports the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and at least another team has interest in Utley.
The $5 million left on the contract probably makes Utley a candidate to clear waivers. Any team that chooses to claim Utley on waivers would be fully responsible for Utley's salary. Should a team claim Utley, he would have to give his consent to the Phillies letting him go to the claiming team. Teams can pull back their players once claimed if they were placed on revocable waivers as most players are in the month of August.
Utley would also likely have to demonstrate that he has recovered from inflammation in his ankle.
