Connecting the dots last week was not too hard. The San Francisco Giants placed second baseman Joe Panik on the 15-day disabled list. Chase Utley returned from his disabled list stint, and without an option automatically vesting, Utley could be a good trade candidate. While the Giants got better news on Panik compared to what could have been, the team is interested in Utley.
Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reports that the Giants watched Utley play:
The Giants had a scout in San Diego for the entire Phillies series and sources tell CSNPhilly.com that the scout was indeed keeping tabs on Utley.
Salisbury points out as we have before that Utley lives in the San Francisco area and believes that Utley will accept a trade.
Utley said that he would consider such to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki:
"Like I've said all along, I would be more than happy to listen to them," Utley said. "I do love Philadelphia. I've had a great time playing here, but out of respect for them, I would definitely listen to them."
Utley gave a politically correct answer.
Since returning from the disabled list, Utley is batting .400 (four hits in 10 at bats). In three games so far, Utley, Cesar Hernandez, and Freddy Galvis all got days off to accommodate the bats in the lineup. The slumping Maikel Franco could also get a day off, as could Ryan Howard as the Phillies attempt to get Utley and the rest of their infield appropriate playing time.
As for Giants second baseman Joe Panik, the news was on the better end. The MRI he received showed no major issues. But lower back inflammation could be tough to recover fully from in the eight weeks left in the season. Utley could help immediately during Panik's disabled list stint and help the Giants beyond in their playoff quest.
