Here’s the latest from the senior circuit…
- Carlos Gonzalez was removed from the second inning of tonight’s game due to left ankle inflammation, as noted by several reporters (including MLB.com’s Thomas Harding). The Rockies star sprained that same ankle last Wednesday and has missed two of Colorado’s four games in the interim. It’s a situation worth monitoring given Gonzalez’s checkered injury history, not to mention the Rockies’ attempt to stay afloat in the NL wild card race. Losing Gonzalez for any extended amount of time is an obvious blow for the Rox, naturally, though the club did get some outfield reinforcements when Gerardo Parra was activated off the DL today.
- Chase Utley told reporters, including Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times (Twitter link), that he intends to play in the 2017 season. Utley, who turns 38 in December, will be a free agent at season’s end and was still putting up above-average offensive numbers as recently as 2014. He has somewhat rebounded (.250/.327/.372 with seven homers in 395 PA) this season after a very rough 2015, and he is still providing solid glovework at second base. Utley could have a tough time matching the one-year, $7MM contract he got from the Dodgers last winter, though teams will certainly take a look at a respected veteran with Utley’s excellent career track record.
- The trade that brought Tanner Roark to the Nationals may be the best of GM Mike Rizzo’s career with the club, as MASNsports.com’s Mark Zuckerman gives his ranking of Rizzo’s top 10 trades. Roark and Ryan Tatusko were acquired in a July 2010 deadline deal that sent Cristian Guzman to the Rangers, and Guzman’s 15 games with Texas ended up being the last of his career. Roark wasn’t a heralded prospect at the time (Tatusko was actually a better-regarded arm) but the right-hander has blossomed into a major contributor on Washington’s staff.
- The Giants aren’t likely to add any major pieces during the August waiver trade period, Grant Brisbee of the McCovey Chronicles opines. Exceptions could be made in the case of injury or if the Giants unexpectedly end up with a player they claimed only as a blocking maneuver (a la their pickup of Cody Ross in 2010), though Brisbee notes that there are seemingly few cost-effective players available at San Francisco’s positions of need who would actually be upgrades.
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.
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.
Leadership is worth $6M
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.
WAR does take his defense into account.
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?
Howie Kendrick. Signed for one more year.
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.
A leader I am not so certain about, but an example, without question.
With good defense at second, it puts him close to league average at second for the year.
$7mil is no longer an outrageous number. Actually, it’s pretty average for a platoon infielder with his service time.
You also have to factor in the clubhouse leadership. Lots of worse contracts out there
Defense counts too. 7 million isn’t much for a league average player, especially on a team as ravaged by injuries as the Dodgers.
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.
That’s about league average, and 7M is about what you pay for league average.
Leadership is worth $6M / year
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.
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.
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.
Yeah, any 2B plays regularly and hits .250 with atleast average defense is worth that kind of money.
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!
X2
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.
He’s a weirdo because he’s quiet? Huh, okay. Maybe he leads by example.
@HammySosa You must be a Mets fan.
Who else was expecting this article to have been about ANTHONY Rizzo?