Phillies GM: Chase Utley 'Very Likely' To Stay In Philadelphia
(CBS) Despite clearing waivers and having multiple playoff contenders express interest, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is "very likely" to remain with Philadelphia for the rest of the season, general manager Ruben Amaro told Sportsradio 94WIP on Tuesday morning.
The Cubs were one of the teams that had expressed interest in Utley, who's hitting .213 with five homers, 30 RBIs and a .614 OPS in 72 games this season. He's been slowed by injuries, including right ankle inflammation.
"It is very likely he'll be here in Philadelphia through the end of the year and then we'll see what happens after that," Amaro told the station.
Because he holds 10-and-5 rights -- 10-plus years of MLB service with at least five straight on his current team -- Utley has a no-trade clause. Amaro twice declined to comment on where Utley might be willing to be traded to.
The Giants and Dodgers also have expressed interest in Utley, according to various reports.
If they chose, the Cubs would have room for Utley after they recently demoted Starlin Castro to being a bench player and moved Addison Russell from second base to shortstop. Chicago has been using a combination of Castro, outfielder Chris Coghlan and utilityman Jonathan Herrera at second base recently.
