We recently wrote that with Chase Utley's $15 million option now unlikely to vest, Utley has become a commodity that is much easier to trade. Once Utley shows that he is healthy, the risk for an acquiring team is diminished; without being on the hook for $15 million for next season and even beyond that, Utley is a risk worth taking. It appears teams are picking up on that.
Jayson Stark of ESPN reports there is further interest than the Angels, which we knew about:
Stark on Utley: "This is evolving. I think he gets traded in August. They have 3 teams interested in trading for him."
— 97.3 ESPN FM (@973espn) July 24, 2015
There are some natural fits for Utley.
A couple hours ago on Inside Pitch on MLB Network Radio made a good point: would the New York Yankees take a chance on Chase Utley at second base when Stephen Drew is hitting just .185? Of course, Utley was hitting .179 before shutting down with an ankle injury. If Utley is healed and we are to believe that Utley found a flaw in his swing, Utley can only go up from there, whereas this is about one gets from Stephen Drew.
Remember: Utley may not only help a team looking for a second baseman. Someone who needs a left-handed bat at designated hitter or first base may also take a chance on Utley. In a climate when teams are hoarding prospects, acquiring an inexpensive Utley is preferable to giving up a substantial amount of prospects.
As some commented during the last post, "that does not mean he will waive his no-trade protection."
That is true. But, think about it: Utley has plenty of reasons to leave Philadelphia.
- Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. declared Cesar Hernandez the better player, essentially declaring that Utley has lost his job.
- The Phillies are not going to re-sign Utley
- Utley may not have many years left to play baseball…would he want to spend his time sitting on the bench with a losing team?
Getting Utley to agree to a trade may not be the hardest thing in the world.
Afraid to lose a Phillies favorite? Fear not. Do we already forget that Darren Daulton went from the Phillies to the Florida Marlins in 1997? Daulton won his only career World Series. Daulton was then briefly a bullpen coach with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Does anyone think of Darren Daulton as anything but a Phillie for life? Utley would certainly have the same legacy with the Phillies as Daulton does.
