The Giants had a scout watching the Phillies/Padres series in San Diego this weekend with the purpose of watching Chase Utley, CSNPhilly.com’s Jim Salisbury reports. Utley made his return from the disabled list this weekend and went 4-for-10 over the three games, contributing three doubles, two runs and two RBI in Philadelphia’s sweep of the Padres. It was Utley’s first game action since June 22.
Utley may be one of the most closely-watched veterans of the August waiver period, as the Cubs, Angels and Yankees have already been rumored to be interested in the veteran second baseman. The Giants’ interest is tied to the health of Joe Panik, who is on the DL with lower back inflammation. As Salisbury notes, Utley could be acquired for depth and leadership purposes since Panik is expected to return. Since Utley has hit only .189/.263/.294 this season, it’s also maybe a stretch that Utley can be relied on as an everyday replacement unless he shows signs of his old form.
San Francisco may be an ideal trade destination for Utley, as his family’s offseason home is in the Bay Area. He has no-trade protection as a 10-and-5 player, and Utley has said he’s open to exploring whatever trade options the Phillies bring to him.
Utley is owed approximately $4.59MM for the remainder of the season, and he has a $15MM vesting option for 2016 that will be unlocked if he receives 500 plate appearances this season. He has 259 PA after today’s action, and his lengthy DL stint makes it unlikely he’ll reach that vesting plateau. With less than 500 PA, the option become a club option worth between $5MM-$11MM (depending on time spent on the DL) with a $2MM buyout.
Belt, Panik, Crawford, Duffy, Aoki, Pence, Pagan and Posey, right?
Where would Utley play? Platoon with Duffy? I don’t get it.
Maybe split time with Panik? We don’t know how bad his back is or will be, lets say if Panik cannot be 100%.
Panik is on the DL so he’d start 2B. Then be a bench bat after. Panik and Duffy are the starters
Panik is on the shelf with back problems, so maybe the Giants are thinking he can’t be counted on to play much more this year. Or they’d just be happy to utilize Utley as a veteran bench bat once Panik returns.
platoon with duffy?
utley cannot play third. if the giants went after Chase, it would be a Panik move.
Obvious pun is obvious.
I thought it was obvious.
Obviously
Half of those players have spent time on the DL this year, so a few extra days of rest, before the final stretch for a playoff run would probably be a good idea.. Having a bench piece like Utley is a very good option when you need a clutch pinch hitter in a playoff game as well.. But what do I know? Of course you are probably right in assuming that those players will be at 100% for the playoffs having them play every inning of every game until the season is over..
I think Utley is a good upgrade over Adrianza for now until Panik is back. He would make a good bench piece as well for the postseason.
Plus, if the Giants were to somehow make it to the world series they will need a DH for some of the games.. He has plenty of playoff experience..
Also Belt can move to OF and Utley at 1B.
as terrible as he looked before going on the DL, he certainly looked good over the weekend. he claimed he figured out something with his swing while on the DL-im normally skeptical of that but it did look better. one double in the left center gap, another down the first base line. second base insurance, first base option, pinch hitter would be the uses.
Utley had a phenomenal spring training 1.30 OPS , looked like Utley from 2009. Ankle injury seemed to plague him as this season progressed to the point he was unrecognizable and completely shot.
Looks revived now, if he can stay healthy an awesome pickup for some team.