Is there a future for Chase Utley?
By Tim Haberin
As a new group of All-Stars prepares to head to the Midsummer Classic, a former one contemplates his future.
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Chase Utley, the Philadelphia Phillies‘ longtime mainstay at second base, has experienced a downright awful season to date. And according to General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., he likely won’t reassume his starting job when he returns from the disabled list soon. Utley was placed on the DL in late June with an injured ankle.
Amaro, who seems to be perfecting the art of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time this year, was asked recently if Utley was still the team’s starting second baseman. “Not for me he’s not,” he replied. “Cesar Hernandez is our best second baseman.” Ouch. Kind of a rough way to speak about a 13-year veteran of your club.
Of course, Amaro (whose time with the organization may be running out as well) is not wrong in suggesting that Hernandez is currently a better option for the Phillies lineup. The 25-year-old has done surprisingly nice work in the first half, slashing .294/.379/.374 with a home run, 19 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 73 games. Since the beginning of June he is batting .340, and until two nights ago he had been maintaining a 12-game hitting streak.
On a rebuilding team like the Phils, it’s only natural to defer to youth when possible. And Utley’s performance has certainly made it a relatively easy choice. Before going down with his injury, he was hitting a paltry .179/.257/.275 on the year. His .532 OPS is over .200 points lower than at any point in his career since becoming a full-time player. Due to turn 37 next December, it’s hard not to wonder if this could be the end.
Utley’s name has circulated in trade rumors before, and at this point a relocation may be the best scenario for both sides. Unfortunately, his meager performance at the plate is going to make that a real challenge. Like with several of their other aging stars, the Phillies simply waited too long to cash in.
There is also financial reasoning for the Phils to keep Utley on the bench. His contract runs through this season, but it also has $15 million options for 2016 through 2018 that vest if he makes 500 plate appearances the year prior. Presently at 249 PAs, he certainly won’t hit that benchmark with a diminished role and appears set to become a free agent this offseason.
Is there any reason to think a rebound could be in store for the veteran infielder? The ankle issue has apparently troubled him since January. If you are of an optimistic mind, his struggles could be at least partly attributed to not being completely healthy. Once healed, he might look a little more like himself. Though his best days are surely behind him, he’s still probably better than a .179 hitter.
But would any team be willing to make that gambit? Perhaps a contender with space on its bench might fancy him as a veteran bat that could suddenly spring to life in the postseason. That scenario seems like a longshot, though. If Utley toughs it out for the remainder of the year in Philadelphia and hits free agency, it should be interesting to see what happens. Does he find a new home, or will he decide to hang it up and become one of the increasingly rare breed of player who spends their entire career in one uniform?
In any case, it indeed looks like Chase Utley’s time as an everyday player could be at or very near its end. He will need quite the rapid turnaround to suggest otherwise.