While we are still more than a month away from trade season around MLB, the hot stove will likely start heating up as teams assess where they stand about 40 percent of the way through the season. At 11 games under .500, the Philadelphia Phillies are one team that may very well go into selling mode prior to or during the July 31st trade deadline.
One of their greatest assets in a potential deal could be veteran second baseman Chase Utley, who is having a stellar season after struggling through the past couple campaigns. Utley is hitting .314 with four homers and 30 RBI’s on the season. He also leads the Majors with 24 doubles.
Among the teams that will likely show interest in Utley at the deadline will be the AL West leading Oakland Athletics, who sport a 3.5 game lead in the division and the highest run differential in baseball.
According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Utley is a name that continues to be linked to Oakland in rumors. She does, however, indicate that he would require a return the A’s might not be able to give up at this point.
It’s unclear whether Oakland could put together the kind of package that would get a player such as Philadelphia’s Chase Utley, rumored yet again to be on the trading block.
The 35-year-old Utley is owed $10 million in 2015, which could very well be in the A’s price range.
It’s also important to note that second base has been somewhat of an issue for Oakland, at least from the plate. The combination of Eric Sogard, Nick Punto and Alberto Callaspo are hitting just .218 with four homers and 37 RBI’s on the season.
Photo: CBS Sports