Chase Utley prefers to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies
The subject of a fair amount of trade talk in recent weeks, Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, who's spent his entire 14-year career with the team, said Monday he hopes to remain with the Phillies, according to the Associated Press.
Utley, who has the power to veto any trade due to his tenure in the league, said he may rethink his stance if Philadelphia expresses a desire to trade its veterans and rebuild, but for now he's content to stay and try and turn things around.
"The grass isn't always greener on the other side," he said Monday. "I've picked some brains over the course of the last few years. I really enjoy Philadelphia. I love playing baseball in Citizens Bank Park. I love playing in front of Philly fans. There's no better place to play in my opinion. Obviously winning is important and you want to do that, and I would like to do that in Philadelphia."
With numerous teams in need of help at second base and the Phillies mired in last place in the NL East, a trade would seem to be something of interest to the club. Utley'd be certain to bring back some value, particularly given how he's played this season, though it may prove tough to trade him since he's the face of the franchise.
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Utley is hitting .293/.349/.445 this season in 395 plate appearances and was voted a starter in Tuesday's All-Star Game. His contract technically runs out at season's end, but it contains a trio of vesting options that kick in once he reaches 500 plate appearances.
So long as he's able to remain healthy and productive, he's likely to remain a Phillie until his career comes to an end if he's so inclined.
- Aaron Somers
