Though some have wondered whether or not Chase Utley will return for a 14th Major League season, Utley’s agent, Joel Wolfe of the Wasserman Media Group, tells the New York Post’s Joel Sherman that Utley is “one hundred percent” returning for the 2016 season.
The Dodgers hold a $15MM club option on Utley that is, as Sherman points out, an easy option to decline. The 37-year-old Utley batted just .212/.286/.343 between the Phillies and Dodgers this season — Philadelphia traded him to L.A. in exchange for Darnell Sweeney and John Richy in August — and an ankle injury kept him from reaching the 500 plate appearances necessary for that $15MM option to automatically vest.
Utley’s season could begin with a two-game suspension, though, after a controversial slide in the NLDS took out Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada and fractured his right fibula. MLB ruled that Utley would be suspended for the next two games of the Division Series, but his camp appealed the suspension. Players are typically allotted up to two weeks to assemble their case when appealing a suspension, Sherman notes, and as such the hearing was delayed until next season so as not to overshadow the remainder of the playoffs or the offseason.
Utley’s disappointing 2015 campaign marked the first full season of his career in which he failed to reach double-digit home runs (he hit eight) and also represented the first time since 2004 that his adjusted OPS fell shy of the league average. He’ll face a limited market as he looks for a new team in free agency, though his track record should earn him an incentive-based big league deal for a team with needs at second base. The Yankees, Royals, White Sox, Angels (who had interest in him this summer) and Padres all make some degree of sense as highly speculative fits for the Phillies icon.
Dodgers will decline that option, then on January 14th he will sign a 1 year deal with the Mets.
There ya have it, folks
that would be hilarious
glad some people understand sarcasm on this site
Think he’d do well with the Yankees but hey what do I know I’m just sticking a shoe on a foot that fits it.
Either former Dodgers or Cheaters (wich in their case it´s the same) should be allowed to sign with other teams anymore.
Dodgers pick up that option, eat virtually all of the salary, and trade him for a couple of prospects. Go ahead, say it could not happen.
Anything could happen. However that won’t happen…
Because the Dodgers have never done anything remotely like that, right?
Or maybe you have another reason.
Cushman will probably sign him and keep Refsnyder in AAA for yet another season. Sad thing is as bad as Utley was in 2015 he would have still have been an upgrade on Drew. (Although I believe Drew was better defensively) Unfortunately, it will probably require a major league contract to sign him. Because, in all seriousness I would like to see the Yankees sign him on a minor league contract and let him battle Ackley and Refsnyder to be the everyday starter. Although, I don’t understand why more writers don’t see Ackley as the favorite. He was displaced in Seattle as the starter because of their Cano signing. He was drafted and brought up as a 2nd baseman. He was probably rushed through the minors too quickly but he showed promise in pitcher friendly Seattle. I don’t understand why he isn’t seen as much of a 2nd baseman anymore. I bet he surprises everybody next year and breaks camp as the everyday 2nd baseman and starts getting closer to his projected ceiling. If Gardner is indeed traded this off season then Ackley would make a decent #2 hitter. I just wish he could have had Kevin Long to work with. With a bit of confidence I can see Ackley holding down 2nd for quite a few years in New York. Unfortunately, with what Cashman has done the last couple of years Utley will probably be the starter. Roberts, Drew, now Utley seems about right.
in utley’s pinch hitting role don mattingly said to utley “go out there and break a leg”
I won’t offer my opinion on the Utley situation against the Mets…
I will say I find it funny that he got suspended for 2 games, and Utley appeals, but then Mattingly kept him out of the next 2 games anyways since they were in New York, and didn’t want him to have to go out there.
According to Cots baseball contracts, the Dodgers option on Utley ranges from $5MM to $11MM based on the number of days he spent on the DL when $15MM option did not vest. Around $5MM Dodgers may decide to bring him back for one season to backup 2b, 3b, and 1b and be the primary LH PH.
Finally some useful information, thank you. Keeping in mind too that the Dodgers have no incumbent at 2B and they might take the opportunity to keep a veteran on a short contract who won’t block Peraza.