We heard earlier today that the Angels are looking into a trade for Phillies second baseman Chase Utley. While there are some barriers to a deal there, as there are with other possible destinations, it seems to be one of several viable landings spots. Here’s the latest on the long-time star:
- There is “credible buzz” that the Astros are also involved in pursuing Utley, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com tweets. Obviously Houston has Jose Altuve entrenched at second and can play both Jed Lowrie and Luis Valbuena at third. But Salisbury says that the team could utilize Utley at first and/or the DH slot, where the club is currently struggling to find consistent production. The Astros join five other previously-reported teams with interest, including their primary competition in the AL West.
- Executives involved in the discussions say they expect Utley will end up deciding whether to waive his no-trade protection for the Cubs or Angels, Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets. It’s not entirely clear whether those two clubs are most appealing to the team or to Utley, let alone what kind of process is being pursued to arrive at a decision.
- The Giants join the Cubs and Angels atop Utley’s preference list, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. As he notes, one major question with San Francisco is the status of Joe Panik, who will presumably slot back in as the regular second baseman when he returns from injury.
I just don’t see playing time for him on the Cubs
If he has found his swing again he could easily supplant Coghlan/Castro at 2nd.. Plus, I am sure that some of those younger guys on the roster are going to need some extra rest for the stretch run.. Utley’s leadership and playoff experience will be his most valuable asset to the Cubs..
I think the Angels make the most sense. They don’t really have anyone that is overwhelmingly better than Utley.
It seems as if the ankle problem was the early season problem. Hes 8-for-19 with 4 2B since coming back. Small sample size, but earlier this season, he was awful, and it looks like the 2011-2014 Utley right now. 10-15 HR with a respectable slash line.
I don’t see how the Astros, Giants, Cubs or Dodgers can offer him much playing time. Utley seems bent on playing everyday. Angels and Yankees can both offer him that for this season.
I hope Cashman picks him up.. I have been wanting to see Utley play for the Yankees since his 09 World Series performance.. Granted he is not the player he was then but I would still prefer him over Stephen Drew..
I’m just curious, with supposedly 6 teams interested and the Phillies willing to eat the remainder of his salary, how big of a return they could end up getting. Obviously not expecting much, but a couple of 10-20 organzational guys? Maybe?
I don’t know.. Utley might hold more value than that.. At least I would think he should..
Well hes 3-for-3 tonight, looking like the Chase of old times. Hitting .450 in 7 games since coming back, but we can’t label him as a valuable trade piece based off of 7 games. Makes me think that Amaro could gamble and wait 2 more weeks then trade him toward the end of August. A good 3 weeks of production could move him into a more valuable situation.
Dude on fire. 11 for 22 since his rehab.Hitting everything on a line, making the pitcher work, looks like the Utley from 2009.
As he gets more comfortable I could see some power return.Everything right now is line drives. He does have 4 doubles since the return.
Ive been saying if Utley is right and relatively healthy he still has plenty left in the tank. Just have to be careful and give him a day off now and then.
And now hes 4-for-5 tonight. He just looks healthy now. Hes hit more balls hard tonight then he did most of the first half.
Yeah.. You don’t have a career like his and then just fall off a cliff.. A team or 2 is going to wish they had simple claimed him off waivers.. There wouldn’t be a guarantee that they would have gotten him but they would have exclusive negotiating rights for him..
I’ve been saying that all week…the Phillies got lucky no one claimed him bc they are developing a market for him.
They’ll eat more salary than a waiver claim but hold out for a better return.
Houston would probably make the best offer, but I think a SoCal guy wants to be an Angel, so that’s where he’ll end up
I cant believe teams didnt claim Utley to block him from possibly landing with a rival.
Zolecki just tweeted Angels had 2 scouts at the game tonight and Angels have been following Utley for weeks. They are slipping a bit and appear to need to jolt, like one Utley can bring them.
Im sure Mike Trout who grew up watching Utley and idolizing him would welcome the addition .
His family make their offseason home in the Bay Area, so the Giants would be an even better fit geographically speaking.
The problem with the Giants is potentially lack of playing time, contingent on the condition of Joe Panik’s back. First base is already crowded with Belt starting and Posey also getting time there.
I don’t know about that claim….that’s still alot of money to eat. Phillies would have likely tried to work a deal out or pulled him back
Some players do seem to have a late career rebirth. Jim Thome is the best example I can think of quickly. Thome seemed to have two careers. The early days when he mashed and was an mvp candidate…then the later years as a solid vet.
At least an organizations top 10 prospect maybe a top 6-7 prospect. If you don’t get that you keep Utley.
I think he would really help Houston, His Hustle and Playing the Game the way it should be played, In all the Phils Games I’ve watch , Never once have I seen him Dog it !
That could work. Bench Gattis (-0.6 WAR) and Carter (-0.8 WAR) and let Utley play 1B and platoon Valbuena with one of Gattis/Carter.
I never understood why Houston traded for Gattis.. Most of his value was tied to him being a catcher.. He has a decent bat but not an exceptional one.. I think Houston will be regretting that trade for the next couple of years.. I have an autographed 3/5 Topps card of his so I hope he turns his career around though..
I will probably get skewered for this but I would be ok with the Yankees giving up Refsnyder for him.. I think Utley has a couple of years left in him and the Yankees could simply pick up his option next year.. Maybe offering to guarantee it for Utley to waive his no trade clause.. Or perhaps a combo of Lindgren and Clarkin.. If anyone thinks he is going to be picked up for a couple of middling prospects then they haven’t been reading up on the long list of teams that are interested in him.. I know Yankees fans are wanting them to get younger and stick to playing the kids but Utley is one of those veterans that you want on your team.. 2-3 years of him playing 2nd will give the Yankees a chance to draft a replacement early next year.. They also have quite a few shortstop prospects in the lower levels.. They could slide one of them over pretty easily.. I just am not sold on Refsnyder being the answer.. I think he is better suited for the NL.. Plus, he can keep progressing on learning 2nd while playing for a rebuilding club like the Phillies.. He will be given more leeway with them than in New York..
Rumor was that Crick was the player from SF in an Utley deal…I’ve heard he’s lost some shine…but Phillies could do OK for 6 weeks of Utley
I’m no fan of Crick but that sounds like the type of return Utley should bring back. Either a middle of the road prospect or a former good prospect that has lost some shine as you put it.
Just looking at Crick’s stats a little more closely and it’s crazy how many walks he issues and how many baserunners he allows. Great K/9 but man, those walks.
As a Giants fan I’d say that’s a fair trade. Crick is still just 22, so he has time to turn it around.
He’s really a perfect fit for the Astros. Young team, could really use a veteran guy like Utley who’s been there before. He’d have to be willing to play 1b/3b/DH though which is not clear he would be willing to do so. But if he wants to stay healthy, this may be an ideal fit. Angels also a good candidate, but Giavotella has hit well, would be a shame to bench him.
Utley is not a third baseman.
I am aware. And Lowrie and Valbuena have been fine at 3b as well. He’s more of a fit at 1b/DH if he’s willing to play those positions. But if he’s going to be picky about where he wants to go, he may be more amenable to waiving his no trade clause to try 3b instead of 1b/DH. I agree though, that’d be a risky experiment for a team trying to make the playoffs.
Phillies have went down the 3B experiment road before, granted not in the big leagues, but it seemed never to work out. It was the reason they went and got Michael Young in 2013.
All this buzz for a guy hitting under .200 in over 200 ABs.
Yeah before he was injured.. Move along troll..
What do you mean? Utley isn’t hitting under .200. Oh. Do you mean he used to be hitting under .200 and how he was hitting a few months ago is important and hitting .500 now wouldn’t help a team?
that was then….this is now. The guy is healthy and hitting and that should make him pretty darn valuable for a contending team.
it’s because it’s the only trade to speculate about.
i mean, sure, he’ll be moved for some a-ball reliever or a washed out former prospect with no real chance at even being remembered this time next year because he himself will be a complete non-factor to any new team he goes to… but what else is there to talk about?