Is Chase Utley About To Be Traded From The Phillies?

One by one, the core players that brought the Philadelphia Phillies a World Series championship in 2008 and five years of dominance atop the NL East are slipping away.

First, the Phillies all-time his leader, Jimmy Rollins was traded during the offseason.

Then, after years of speculation, World Series MVP Cole Hamels was dealt just before this year’s July trade deadline.

Now, batting a monstrous .500 (13 for 26) since his return from an ankle injury, and clearing waivers, Chase Utley has garnered interest from multiple teams contending for the playoffs.

Utley has full no trade rights, which means the Phillies and another team can agree to a deal, but if he doesn’t like it, he can say no.

He’s a native of southern California and he lives in northern California, and has repeatedly said that if he was traded, he would only consider playing for a contending team on the west coast that guaranteed him playing time.

Let’s count down the top 5 most likely contenders, grading each possibility on a scale of 1 (impossible) to 10 (guaranteed):

5. Chicago Cubs

Why it could happen: The Cubs seem to be the team linked to Utley the most. They are a very young squad and have very few players with any post-season experience, outside of Jon Lester. They have organizational depth at second base with some top prospects in the minors, but the position is a hole for the big club. Touted rookie Addison Russell recently moved from second to shortstop to displace the struggling Starlin Castro.

Why it won’t happen: The Cubs aren’t on the west coast. As a National League team with no designated hitter, they offer less of a guarantee of playing time than an AL team would. And it seems more likely they solve their second base issues by giving Starlin Castro another shot, or by calling up Javier Baez or Arismendy Alcanatara.

Grade: 3

4. New York Yankees

Why it could happen: The Yankees have relied on a platoon at second base of Stephen Drew and Brendan Ryan. Utley would be an upgrade, but they have gotten production, though inconsistent at times from the position. The Yankees have a history of getting players of Utley’s pedigree to help them in a stretch run, such as David Justice. Utley’s salary wouldn’t be a problem for the Pinstripes.

Why it won’t happen: The Yankees were unwilling to deal top prospects at the deadline for Cole Hamels or another top pitcher. While Utley wouldn’t demand quite the same haul, they might not be willing to meet the Phillies asking price. The Yankees also are not on the west coast, which is the main reason this trade is not likely.

Grade: 3

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

Why it could happen: Utley would join his old teammate Rollins, re-establishing the oldest active middle infield connection in baseball. The Dodgers fit all of Utley’s criteria.

Why it won’t happen: The Dodgers don’t really need Utley. They have Howie Kendrick, who is currently on the disabled list but will be back in a few weeks. They have top prospect Jose Peraza, recently acquired from the Braves. They cannot guarantee Utley playing time. As an NL team they have no DH. And seeing Rollins and Utley - the Philadelphia duo that twice denied the Dodgers a berth in the World Series (in ‘08 and ‘09) might be too much for Los Angeles to handle.

Grade: 5

2. San Francisco Giants

Why it could happen: The Giants All Star second basemen Joe Panik is out indefinitely. The organization has a knack- like the Cardinals - for getting the right player at the right time. Utley is red hot and would seem like a good fit for San Francisco’s lineup. Utley can play third and first too, positions which the Giants have showed a willingness to platoon to keep everyone healthy.

Why it won’t happen: When Panik comes back, the Giants will sit Utley. They cannot guarantee him playing time, especially down the stretch. The Giants do not have the deepest farm system, either, so it is difficult to see a trade the Phillies would love to make.

Grade: 7

1.Los Angeles Angels

Why it could happen: As an AL team, the Angels have a DH, and unlike the Yankees, they don’t have a would be hall of famer getting consistent reps there. They also have the weakest alternatives at second base of any team on this list, and are just as sticky of a situation as any team. The Angels trail the Astros for the division lead, and are battling for the right to be the away team that will get a one game playoff against the Yankees or the Blue Jays. They’ll need all the help they can get if they want to make it to the ALDS.

Why it won’t happen: The Angels are the only team that meets every single one of Utley’s criteria. But even if the two teams agree to a trade, there’s a good chance Utley decides to stay in Philadelphia. There’s something special about a player that spends his whole career with one team, and he knows it.

Grade: 8

The Phillies have parted with nearly all of the pieces that they relied upon last year. Marlon Byrd, Antonio Bastardo, Jonathan Papelbon, and Ben Revere were all traded along with Rollins and Hamels.

Utley, along with Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard, is among the final relics remaining from the Phillies’ years of dominance, and along with those two, Rollins, and Hamels, holds a special significance to the Philadelphia area. Utley has been and remains an icon of the region, and whatever happens next, he’ll retire as a Phillie.