Chase Utley has been on the disabled list since late June with a right ankle injury and he's still ways away from returning. However, Philadelphia Phillies' general manager Ruben Amaro made comments yesterday that may hint toward the end of the second baseman's tenure with the team.
Trade rumors involving Utley popped up here and there over the past year due to the Phillies' rebuilding situation, but his struggles this season have not made him a viable candidate.
Utley was one of the worst hitters in the MLB before hitting the DL thanks to his .179/.257/.275 stat line through the team's first 65 games. His steep decline appears to be legitimate and it's highly unlikely the Phillies will continue to play the veteran on a daily basis once he returns. If he makes 500 plate appearances this season (which would be difficult for him to do at this point) he's guaranteed $15 million in 2016 thanks to the vesting option in his contract. He has 249 right now.
But Amaro provided different reasoning.
When asked if Utley is still the team's everyday second baseman once he returns from the DL, Amaro responded, "Not for me he's not. Cesar Hernandez is our best second baseman," according to Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News.
"I would assume that Cesar will be our second baseman," Amaro added, via Lawrence.
While this is certainly possible because Hernandez is batting .301 with 31 runs scored and 12 stolen bases in 72 games, fans must take what Amaro says with a grain of salt. Andy MacPhail joined the Phillies' front office and will take over as team president after the season, so it's unknown how much influence Amaro will have for the rest of the way because his contract expires at year's end.
However, it's hard to believe MacPhail the team would want to carry Utley on the roster if he's not playing, because that will more than likely create tension between the veteran and the organization. The team is trying to rebuild and it's clear Utley will not be a part of that process.
"A trade may be the best option for both sides given Amaro's recent comments," writes Chris Cwik of Yahoo! Sports. "Utley can at least go to a contender. Even if he sits with his new club, he'll still have a shot at a ring, and that's a better situation than he'll have once he returns to the Phillies."
Amaro has already traded veterans Jimmy Rollins and Marlon Byrd this offseason and many believed trading Utley as well would be hard on the team's fan base. Rollins and Utley are legends in Philadelphia and helped deliver the Phillies' first World Series title since 1980 back in 2008. On top of that, Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz and Jonathan Papelbon could be on the way out too.
Utley said he wants to stay in Philly, and his no-trade clause and full 10-5 rights give him a lot of say regarding that matter, but if he isn't playing AND he's on the worst team in baseball, why would he want to stay? Although he's been performing poorly, there could be a market for the second baseman given he could provide invaluable leadership and possibly reliable at-bats down the stretch. And teams wouldn't have to commit to him beyond the season.
"Since Utley likely isn't due back until late July at the earliest, he would be returning with less time on the Phillies schedule than he has already played in," adds Lawrence. "So it would seem highly unlikely he would reach 500 plate appearances even if he was reinstalled as the everyday second baseman."
The Phillies are expected to be one of the most - if not the most - active teams at the trade deadline, so don't be surprised if Utley is one of the veterans the club opts to move.
