Clearing waivers has made Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies eligible to be traded, and this is bringing in plenty of interest from around the league, especially from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants.
The Giants might be the team closest to the Phillies in the matter, slightly worried about Joe Panik’s back and are in the need for a second baseman. The two teams have been in discussion regarding Utley, but for now the price the Phillies are asking for is too high.
Utley, 36, has played in just 70 games this season and just now coming back from over a month of inactivity due to a right ankle inflammation. He’s hitting just .196 this season in 70 games but was an All-Star last season for the Phillies, and can probably help out any team trying to make the playoffs or already thinking ahead about the later stages of postseason.
Utley can block any trade offer because of his 10-and-5 rights as a 10-year MLB veteran who has been with his current team for five seasons. He is a six time All-Star and has been with the Phillies since 2003, winning one World Series and being on the losing side of another. He’s making $15 million this season. The Phillies, at 45-69, have the worst record in baseball.