Dodgers reportedly pick up Chase Utley from Phillies for prospects
Philadelphia’s Chase Utley runs to first base on a single against Toronto on Aug. 18.
From the “you can never have too much of a good thing” approach, the Dodgers are apparently set to acquire Phillies veteran second baseman Chase Utley.
Multiple reports have Utley coming to the Dodgers Wednesday for a pair of mid-level minor league prospects and cash. CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, who first reported the trade, said the Phillies will include $2 million in the deal.
The rich stay rich, though the deal is not yet official.
Utley, 36, has complete trade veto power but is a Long Beach Poly and UCLA product and apparently willing to come home. The Angels and Giants were also in pursuit of Utley.
The Dodgers do not have the same need at second base at the Angels. Starter Howie Kendrick is on the disabled list with strained hamstring, and although he is reportedly progressing well, is not expected back until mid-September.
In his absence, Enrique Hernandez has made most of the starts at second. Hernandez started Wednesday going 11 for 32 (.344) since Kendrick went on the DL.
The Dodgers would now have a surplus of second basemen, although the versatile Hernandez can also play shortstop and the outfield.
Utley is hitting just .217 this season in 73 games, but since returning from a right-ankle injury that sidelined him for more than a month, he has gone 15 for 33. For his 13-year career, Utley has averaged 24 home runs and 96 RBI over 162 games.
Utley will not reach the 500 at-bats this season needed to kick in a $15-million option, meaning like Kendrick, he can become a free agent at the end of the season.
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