Yet another knowledgeable baseball insider has commented on the situation between the Philadelphia Phillies and Chase Utley. The veteran has 10-and-5 rights as well as a full no-trade clause in his contract, but that may not matter to him as time goes on.
Philadelphia is expected to finish the season in the basement of the National League and they likely won't be contending for the next few seasons as they enter a rebuilding period. Although Utley has repeatedly said he wants to remain with the Phillies and doesn't want to be traded, many can't help but think he's going to become fed up at some point and want out.
The second baseman has $15 million vesting options for the 2016, 2017 and 2018 seasons that kick in if he makes 500 plate appearances in each preceding year, which could potentially extend his tenure with the Phillies another three seasons.
Will the Phillies find it worthwhile to pay him an additional $45 million if they're not contending, and will he be willing to endure another potential three years of October-less baseball?
"Over the past year, other teams have been told that Chase Utley will not accept a trade out of Philadelphia. But there is some curiosity about whether this will change, in the face of the Phillies' dim prospects now or in the immediate future. Jimmy Rollins chose to leave, accepting a trade to the Dodgers, and rival evaluators believe Cole Hamels wants out as well," writes ESPN's Buster Olney.
Rollins clearly wanted out and realized there was opportunity elsewhere because he lifted his no-trade clause to move over to Los Angeles. It's pretty evident Hamels and closer Jonathan Papelbon are willing to do the same after they've been public about such dealings over the past few months.
Being that a number of contenders will likely inquire about his services before the trade deadline, is Utley the next to follow this cast of Phillies veterans?
