The Philadelphia Phillies still have some rebuilding to do if they want to start contending within the next few seasons. They've been stubborn about trading starting pitcher Cole Hamels, so second baseman Chase Utley could be the next player they try to get value for.
Joel Sherman's "36 predictions for a parity-filled 2015 MLB season" provide some interesting topics to think about. The New York Post ran the 2015 baseball preview on Thursday and one of those predictions involved Utley and the Los Angeles Angels, who traded second baseman Howie Kendrick to the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this offseason.
Under his "Don't' be surprised if ... (American League edition)" section, Sherman wrote:
"The Angels trade Nick Tropeano, C.J. Cron and Chris Ellis to the Phillies to bring home Chase Utley (born in Pasadena, school at UCLA)."
Considering the Phillies are looking for top prospects in trades for their veterans (see Jimmy Rollins and Marlon Byrd), which has hampered the progression of deals for Hamels and closer Jonathan Papelbon, it's hard to believe they would turn down the package Sherman proposed. Tropeano is the No. 9 ranked prospect in the Angels' organization while Ellis is No. 4 (according to Baseball America), and Cron had a good campaign in 79 games with the Angels in 2014.
What's unknown is if the Angels are willing to make such a deal. Check out these players statistics from last season:
Cron - .256/.289/.450 with 28 runs scored, 11 home runs and 37 RBIs in 79 games with the Angels
Tropeano - 9-5 with a 3.03 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 23 games (20 starts) with Triple-A and 1-3 with a 4.57 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in four starts with the Angels
Ellis - 0-1 with a 6.89 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in nine games (two starts) in the Angels' Rookie league (first season after being drafted)
Los Angeles has Johnny Giavotella projected to start at second base this upcoming season, but it's unknown if he'll be effective after playing in just 125 games with the Kansas City Royals since 2011 and batting .238/.277/.334 over that span despite having a good spring training. They also have Josh Rutledge and Grant Green, who haven't been all that impressive during the spring.
Utley has an interesting contract situation thanks to $15 million vesting options for 2016, 2017 and 2018 that kick in if he makes 500 plate appearances in each preceding season. The Angels have enough salary on their hands and such a contract may not appeal to them, even if they are in need of an effective second baseman.
What we do know is that it all rests with the Phillies' veteran.
"Since Utley has a full no-trade clause as a player with 10-5 rights, that is a discussion that begins and ends with the Phils' second baseman," writes Casey Feeney of CSN Philly. "And if the past decade is any indication, that will not be a long conversation."
