The Angels are “exploring the possibility” of a trade for Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, reports Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com (All Twitter links). However, as Gonzalez notes, the Angels don’t feel they have a great deal of roster flexibility, as they don’t see an easy call to option or designate for assignment in order to clear room. Gonzalez adds that the extent of the Angels’ interest isn’t clear, especially with Johnny Giavotella hitting well this month, although Utley could see some reps at first base in Anaheim as well.
Utley’s still owed about $4.43MM this season, plus a $2MM buyout on a club option that will not automatically vest, as he’ll fall shy of 500 plate appearances required for that guarantee to trigger. The 36-year-old has already cleared waivers, making him eligible to be dealt to any team, but his 10-and-5 rights are still in effect, giving him the power to veto any trade of which he does not approve. ESPN’s Buster Olney reported yesterday that Utley was seeking a guarantee of playing time in any trade.
The 28-year-old Giavotella has somewhat surprisingly held down the Angels’ second base gig all season, hitting .271/.320/.359 along the way. Defensive metrics peg him as sub-par at second base, however, leading both rWAR and fWAR to value him as little more than a replacement-level option when combined with his slightly below-average bat. Of course, there’s no guarantee that Utley would provide a superior alternative, as he hit poorly all season before landing on the DL for more than a month. He’s 7-for-17 since being activated, but that does little to nothing to erase his earlier woes.
Some may question the aforementioned lack of roster flexibility on the Angels, but the team clearly feels committed to keeping Rule 5 pick Taylor Featherston on the roster despite the absence of offensive production (.126/.181/.195). Shane Victorino hasn’t hit since his acquisition, but he does have just 27 plate appearances with the Halos and would figure to have a lengthier leash than that. Matt Joyce has struggled at the plate all season long, but he’s on the disabled list due to concussion symptoms as opposed to occupying a spot on the active roster.
Gives them a left-handed bat, offers them an option at 2B and even covering 3B if Freese needs rest.
Angels can give Utley much more playing time than the Giants could.
I don’t think Utley is an option at 3B. He has never played 3B in the MLB.
I also don’t think Utley is an option at 3B but platooning Giavotella and/or DH-ing Utley would still get him in the lineup a good amount. I’m totally fine with DFA’ing Joyce, DeJesus, or Featherston (if he can be DFA’ed)
Angels need a 25 man roster spot. Joyce is not taking up a 25 man roster spot since he is on the 15 day DL, Featherston would go back to the Rockies if he is removed from the 25 man roster and the Angels want to hang on to DeJesus since he has a 5 MM club option for 2016.
Angels need 40-man roster space too.
That is easy to find, DFA Joyce
Heaney and Shoemaker both have options left. The Angels could always play a roster game and sent/call up Heaney and Shoemaker after their starts until rosters expand in September.
Angels have to keep Fetherston since he is a rule 5 pick and the only back up SS they have.
the Angels don’t HAVE to keep Featherston do they? I thought if they drop him from the 40 he reverts back to the Rockies or whoever. I’m obviously not a Rule 5 expert haha
If the rule 5 draftee does not stay on the selecting team’s 25-man (major league) roster all season, the player must be offered back to his original team at half-price.
Gotcha, well I’m game to do that. I know he’s good defensively, but he’s worse than Jeff Mathis with the bat.
True but he is literally the only guy not name Aybar the Angels have to play SS.
Pujols came up through the minors as a SS… haha totally JK’ing. Grant Green?
He is a pretty bad 2B, I dont really want to see him at SS. Also then Green would need a 25 man roster spot so it causes the same problem.
You have got to mean Little League right !
Johnny owns 2nd base. This would as dumb as trading for 3 left fielders.
Connor Gillaspie seems like the odd man out if Utley is acquired by LAA.
Gillaspie is controllable through 2019, they might wanna hang onto him if he can turn it around.
Except then the Angels are stuck with Featherston, who makes Gillaspie look like Babe Ruth, at 3B until Freese comes back from the DL.
If they’re exploring Utley, someone could get moved to third until Freese comes back while Featherston comes in for defense in the 8th or 9th inning. Gillaspie passed through White Sox DFA waivers a few weeks ago, I don’t see any reason why there would be sudden demand. Might even be easier to just throw in a 25-man spare part to Philadelphia in the trade.
Of course, the mystery is why they added THREE outfielders at the deadline. Two I could see, three creates a roster problem.
agreed re: the 3 OF’s. DeJesus seemed like overkill to me. And his lack of hitting so far has proved annoying.
they should take a flyer on reyes
Why trade for another slow infielder? Make a deal with Colorado and see if you can pick up Reyes. Get some speed back in the lineup and let him play 2nd. Rockies want to dump cash and will probably jump. Release Joyce already. He was washed up with the Rays and has proven with the Angels.