Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley told MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki on Sunday that he would be “more than happy to listen” if the club were to come to him with a trade offer. Utley has seen his starting job go to Cesar Hernandez this year, leaving the longtime franchise cornerstone as a bench bat on a losing team.
More from Philadelphia Phillies
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Stock Up, Stock Down: Mariners, Padres, Giants, Phillies
- Disconnect between Philadelphia and national media is embarrassing
- Stock Up, Stock Down: Two teams rising, two falling post-trade deadline
With second base always seeming to be a thin position and several clubs still in the hunt for the postseason, one would think at least a few would be interested in adding Utley for the stretch run. It’s understandable why he’d be open to a trade away from Philadelphia, though the fact that he is does signal a change in mindset. The veteran second baseman had previously been consistent in seeming determined to finish his career in a Phillies uniform. But now does he know if he’ll be suiting up for Philly in September? “Who knows.”
The Cubs had previously been linked to Utley, though they now seem content with Chris Coghlan at second with Addison Russell sliding over to short. If they felt determined to add depth, however, they could go after Utley to help secure their first playoff berth since 2007.
But a more fitting suitor, perhaps, would be the Toronto Blue Jays. While Devon Travis has put on a show in Toronto this year, he’s currently on the shelf with a shoulder issue, and it appears he may be ticketed for an extended stay on the disabled list. The Jays and Phillies have matched up in trades in the past, and while a long-rumored deal for Jonathan Papelbon never came to fruition between the two, Toronto could still end up with another Philadelphia veteran for what will likely be a much cheaper price.
Other suitors include the Yankees and Angels, and the Royals could also jump in the mix if they feel Utley would be an upgrade over Omar Infante. Ben Zobrist seems ticketed to take over at second when Alex Gordon returns, though Utley could become a more intriguing target for Kansas City if the left fielder suffers setbacks in his recovery.
Next: Boston Red Sox DFA Justin Masteron
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals