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Deke
How is Utley’s season “decent”? 250/.327/.372 with seven homers in 395 PA doesn’t seem anything close to decent for a player earning 7 million a year.
davidcoonce74
There’s defensive value too and 7 million isn’t really very much money at all at this point. That’s basically a one-win player, which is what Utley is, and one-win second basemen have some value, especially on a team ravaged by injuries.
YKTD
Leadership is worth $6M
Phillies2017
Utley is worth 1.5 WAR this season and by fangraphs standards
1 WAR= 7.7 Million
Also- take into account his defense and clubhouse leadership. He’s been well worth the price.
chesteraarthur
WAR does take his defense into account.
Metsfan93
95 wRC+, average baserunner, slightly above average fielder, basically an average ballplayer. That’s worth 7 MM for one year, without a doubt. I’d bet he gets another similar offer from the Dodgers next year. Do they have anyone else obvious to play second?
coachbrad
Howie Kendrick. Signed for one more year.
ronk
Kendrick I’d assume. Utley has tailed off significantly in the 2nd half of the year. I’m still happy hes around to help Seager adapt though. Hes been a leader in the clubhouse for sure.
BlueSkyLA
A leader I am not so certain about, but an example, without question.
JFactor
With good defense at second, it puts him close to league average at second for the year.
falconsball1993
$7mil is no longer an outrageous number. Actually, it’s pretty average for a platoon infielder with his service time.
bross16
You also have to factor in the clubhouse leadership. Lots of worse contracts out there
davidcoonce74
Defense counts too. 7 million isn’t much for a league average player, especially on a team as ravaged by injuries as the Dodgers.
Cam
Interestingly, dollar wise it’s pretty spot on. General estimates place 1 war at 6-8 million, and Utley has been worth 1.5 fWAR so far.
Money aside, he’s been serviceable.
hooligan
That’s about league average, and 7M is about what you pay for league average.
YKTD
Leadership is worth $6M / year
Deke
OK I stand corrected. I just see him as an average player at this point in his career and I guess the 7 million isn’t a lot when you look at it the way you guys have given the stats vs WAR etc. I don’t particularly like the guy so I probably let that get in the way too.
pblack11
kudos to you deke… not everyday you see a fan receive information and admit to change his position. stats really do give good arguments but in all honesty… ask any fidget fan who has been watching most Dodger games and I guarantee you they would praise Utley’s performance this year.
Deke
Thanks PBlack11. I’m capable of listening and while I can be pig headed people made very valid points. I wish more of us could discuss things rationally but honestly this is still one of the best sites with intelligent polite fans.
ChiSoxCity
Yeah, any 2B plays regularly and hits .250 with atleast average defense is worth that kind of money.
jletras2
I agree that $7mil in baseball isn’t a lot anymore. I love the hustle and professionalism Utley brings. That guy hustles down the line on every hit. That’s old school team baseball. Gotta love it!
AGAVE
X2
HammySosa
Utley may be a great example like stated above… But he is quiet and a weirdo no need to praise his leadership cause it’s not there.
BlueSkyLA
He’s a weirdo because he’s quiet? Huh, okay. Maybe he leads by example.
Kayrall
@HammySosa You must be a Mets fan.
AMWChicago
Who else was expecting this article to have been about ANTHONY Rizzo?