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| Chase Utley a trading piece for the Phillies? Photo Credit: USATSI |
The Phillies continue their underwhelming season as they continue along with a 34-41 record, 6.5 games back of first place Washington in the NL East. The whispers of them putting up the white flag and trading some of their top players at the trade deadline have continued to grow louder and louder in recent weeks. Should Philadelphia decide to do so, don’t count on Chase Utley moving anywhere.
By: Michael Hanley
"Well, you're creating situations that aren't necessarily going to happen," Utley told MLB.com. "I guess we'd have to see at that point, but I don't plan on going anywhere."
"I think the mentality of trying to win will be there," Utley said. "I think we need to make improvements as does every team in baseball."
The two year, $25 million contract extension that Utley signed last season which includes three vesting options worth $15 million a piece could prove to be a big problem in any team wanting to pursue him. Those three vesting options come into effect when the second baseman hit the 500 plate appearances mark in each previous season. That is allot of money for one team to take on and somehow still be able to have any flexibility to make any other major moves at the deadline.
The Phillies might be having a down year but Utley is having another terrific season. He comes into today with a .395 batting average, along with five home runs and 33 RBIs. Its easy to see why so many teams in contention in their respective divisions want Utley on there team. Ultimately its up to him if he wants to move on & possibly chase another World Series ring but for now, Utley sounds and looks like a man at peace with his place within the Phillies organization, something that another team simply can’t offer.
Utley recently made his stance on all the trade rumors as he talked to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. He told Zolecki that he has zero interest in waving his full no trade-protection and also is not looking to facilitate any type of trade at the deadline which he could do since he is a 10 and 5 player. Here is more of what Utley said about the trade situations:
"Well, you're creating situations that aren't necessarily going to happen," Utley told MLB.com. "I guess we'd have to see at that point, but I don't plan on going anywhere."
"I'm not going to volunteer to go anywhere. Even if somewhere else was the perfect spot, this is what I know. You weigh that against the instant gratification of winning right now. You leave, and there's no guarantee you're going to win anyways. You pack up to leave for a different organization, a different city, and it feels temporary."
On the chances of Philly winning in future seasons:
"I think the mentality of trying to win will be there," Utley said. "I think we need to make improvements as does every team in baseball."
As with the quotes from his teammates Jimmy Rollins when asked about this very same thing, Utley sounds like a man who is very happy and content being in Philadelphia and being apart of the Phillies organization. He has established roots within this city and with the people of this city that have been developed over years and years, something that is not easy to just walk away from. He also has his family to consider as well with them being well established in the city of brotherly love as well.
Utley also realizes that he is at a later stage in his career now at 35 years old and a sudden change of teams could prove to be a tougher change with being so use to being a Phillie and a being a veteran of the major leagues. If he was say a rookie and was going to be dealt to another team, would be a much easier change since the lack of big league experience would be there. He also would have to create a whole new chemistry with all new players around him, which in the heat of a pennant race could prove problematic if he and the new team do not hit it off the bat right away.
The two year, $25 million contract extension that Utley signed last season which includes three vesting options worth $15 million a piece could prove to be a big problem in any team wanting to pursue him. Those three vesting options come into effect when the second baseman hit the 500 plate appearances mark in each previous season. That is allot of money for one team to take on and somehow still be able to have any flexibility to make any other major moves at the deadline.
The Phillies might be having a down year but Utley is having another terrific season. He comes into today with a .395 batting average, along with five home runs and 33 RBIs. Its easy to see why so many teams in contention in their respective divisions want Utley on there team. Ultimately its up to him if he wants to move on & possibly chase another World Series ring but for now, Utley sounds and looks like a man at peace with his place within the Phillies organization, something that another team simply can’t offer.
