MLB Trade Rumors: Chase Utley Trade To San Francisco Giants Nearly Done?
MLB trade rumors have a Chase Utley deal to the San Francisco Giants nearly complete. These MLB trade rumors have been spurred by the Giants needing middle infield help for the final two months of the regular season. A report from Philly.com on Thursday (August 13) states that an offer has been made to the Philadelphia Phillies. The hold-up in a deal becoming official appears to be Utley wanting a guarantee from the Giants that he will receive reglar playing time.
The Giants have All-Star Joe Panik at second base already, but he is out dealing with a back issue. Panik should be back in the lineup before the end of August, so Utley would ultimately serve as an insurance policy for the franchise. Having a player like Utley to use in late-game situations or to give Panik a day off here and there down the stretch could certainly be a huge boost for the Giants.
Chase Utley is having a down year for the Philadelphia Phillies, which has led to the constant MLB trade rumors about him. The 36-year-old former All-Star has a .196 batting average (46-for-235) with just four home runs and three stolen bases during the 2015 MLB season. This will likely be his final season under that current contract, one which pays him $15 million. If he were to (unlikely) reach 500 plate appearances in 2015, he would have a $15 milion contract guaranteed for 2016 as well. He only has 267 plate appearances through August 13.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Chase Utley has popped up in trade rumors involving the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Angels recently. It shows that the Philadelphia Phillies might have a lot of options when it comes to moving Utley, so the San Francisco Giants will have to put a good offer on the table. The reason for the increased interest is that Utley has been hitting much better in recent weeks, and that his speed on the base paths could be proof that prior ankle issues are in the past.
It seems close to a guarantee that Chase Utley is going to be dealt before the August 31 trade deadline. He has already cleared waivers, meaning the Phillies can now send him to any team in baseball. More MLB trade rumors about Utley are very likely to surface if a deal isn’t completed with the Giants, but signs point toward this being a good match all around. At this point, though, getting anything in return for a struggling veteran is a win for the front office in Philadelphia.
[Image Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images]
