Utley market: Giants, Angels top landing spots
The Giants and Angels are believed to remain interested in Phillies icon Chase Utley, and rivals see those two teams as the most likely fits for the longtime star second baseman.
The Cubs have shown interest, as well, while the Dodgers and Yankees are among other teams to have at least discussed Utley internally but for now seem somewhat less likely that San Francisco or Los Angeles/Anaheim. One person suggested he believes the Giants may be the most likely of all the possible destinations, but as of Sunday afternoon they hadn’t heard anything definitive. MLB.com had reported that the Angels appeared close to a deal a few days ago before it fell through for unknown reasons.
Others note that it’s a complex process with lots of moving parts, making it somewhat difficult to handicap.
Utley has 10-and-5 veto rights over trades so he could ultimately decide the outcome here, but people believe he could possibly be amenable to either the Angels or Giants since both are contenders and fit geographically for the native Californian, who’s from Southern California but lives in Northern California.
It’s also possible Utley could decide to stay in Philly, the only team he’s known — a possibility raised by Ken Rosenthal on FOXSports.com Sunday afternoon.
While staying in Philly can’t be ruled out, that would seem to be a less likely possibility considering two California teams like him to help their pennant chances very much. Utley is 13 for 26 since his return from the DL, and while he’s played primarily second base in his storied career, he can also play first or third, or of course DH.
The Giants’ interest cropped up due to the recent back ailment suffered by young star second baseman Joe Panik, but while there is some hope that Panik may begin baseball activity sometime next week, his timetable isn’t known beyond that he isn’t especially close to returning to the team yet.
Will Chase Utley head to California? (USATSI)
The Angels have gotten a decent year out of Johnny Giavotella at second but could use Utley some at first, third and DH. They have needed extra lefthanded power, as they rely on right-handed stars Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.
The Cubs’ second-base situation is in flux, but they don’t seem completely averse to giving Starlin Castro, who recently was displaced as the starting shortstop by Addison Russell, a chance there. The Cubs also have won nine straight, and 15 of 16, heading into Sunday, and while that doesn’t lessen their interest, it’s possible their increasing playoff chances could be viewed as a plus by Utley.
The Yankees have sought at different times to improve their second base situation this year, though the Stephen Drew/Brendan Ryan combo has been serviceable lately. Dodgers second baseman Howie Kendrick has been out lately, but he’s not expected to miss too much time, and the Dodgers have many infield options as is.
Utley cleared waivers so he can be traded anywhere. He has $6-plus million remaining through this season, which complicates matters a bit.
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