Chase Utley is headed towards a rehab assignment within the next week. While there were questions about how much playing time Utley would have on the Phillies, could he get some playing time for another team this season? Utley's injury might make one think at first glance that there was no chance Utley could be dealt. Instead, the move makes Utley movable.
The Phillies gave Chase Utley a contract that was really hard to move. If Utley was not injured, a $15 option would vest pretty much every year. That meant that if a team traded for Utley, it was almost guaranteed that the acquiring team would be on the hook for Utley's worst season. While this season has been Utley's worst, an acquiring team is pretty much guaranteed to see Utley walk as a free agent at season's end, minimizing the long-term risk.
Enter the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Earlier today, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reported that Utley could be a consideration for the Angels:
Utley is more appealing now that he probably won't reach 500 plate appearances, the trigger for $15 million vesting options in 2016, 2017 and 2018. But he's 36 years old with an unseemly .179/.257/.275 slash line this season. If the six-time All-Star turns it around, the Angels could use him as a left-handed option at second base and designated hitter. But they'd only consider him at minimal cost.
The Angels traded second baseman Howie Kendrick this past offseason and have struggled to find production out of second base.
Utley does not need to turn it around by the July 31 deadline, either. Chances are, Utley would clear waivers and be fair game to trade, which would give the Phillies until August 31 to deal him. Utley said that he found a flaw in his swing last week, and if he can demonstrate that he has something left in the tank, a weak second base market would give the Phillies an opportunity to match up with the Angels.
So, an acquiring team would just have Utley for the rest of the season, as opposed to the rest of the season, next season, and possibly even the season after that. With Utley's track record, he would be a very helpful piece to a playoff-bound team like the Angels.
