TODAY, 7:48am: The precise financial terms are contingent upon performance bonuses and the Dodgers’ decision on Utley’s option, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets, but Philadelphia is expected to owe about $3.7MM of the remainder of Utley’s deal.
YESTERDAY, 10:25pm: The Phillies announced that Sweeney will step directly onto the big league roster to fill Utley’s roster spot.
9:47pm: Another franchise icon is out the door in Philadelphia, as the Phillies announced tonight that they have traded Chase Utley and cash considerations to the Dodgers in exchange for minor leaguers Darnell Sweeney and John Richy. L.A. will reportedly receive about $4MM, meaning the Phillies will save a bit less than $2MM.
Reports earlier afternoon indicated that Utley was likely to either be dealt today or remain with the Phillies for the rest of the season. The veteran has drawn interest from multiple clubs in need of a veteran presence down the stretch. With full no-trade rights, Utley had the ability to dictate if he was traded and to where he was traded, and the Dodgers fit his preference of a Southern California team.
Utley, 36, has been one of the game’s very best players of the last decade. Over his 6,617 career plate appearances, he has produced at a 124 wRC+ clip. With stellar defense also a key component of his value, Utley has racked up over 60 WAR in 13 seasons.
But that outstanding production slowed somewhat last year and fell off a cliff in 2015 as Utley dealt with nagging ankle issues. He ultimately hit the DL for a stretch as his performance continued to suffer. All told, Utley carries a career-worst .617 OPS on the season.
Things have been trending up, however, since Utley returned from the DL. He’s slashed a robust .484/.485/.742 over 31 plate appearances in the month of August. That’s a small sample, of course, but it does suggest he’s healthy, and Utley obviously has an outstanding and lengthy track record of success.
For Los Angeles, of course, the interest in Utley is tied in large part to the club’s loss of second baseman Howie Kendrick to a hamstring strain. The left-handed-hitting Utley will now rejoin long-time middle infield mate Jimmy Rollins, though presumably both will share time with Kike Hernandez down the stretch.
Hernandez, of course, could also see time in center as the Dodgers work to maximize the platoon advantage. Playing Hernandez in the outfield would likely mean exposing Utley to left-handed pitching. While the long-time All-Star has fared well historically against opposing southpaws, he’s also shown much wider splits in the last several seasons.
Utley has a vesting option that would’ve triggered at $15MM were he to reach 500 plate appearances, but he’s no longer a candidate to hit that mark. Instead, it will become a team option with a price tag of between $5MM and $11MM, depending upon precisely how many days he ends up tallying on the DL.
In Sweeney and Richy, the Phillies will receive the Dodgers’ No. 13 and No. 29 prospects, respectively, per MLB.com. Sweeney has spent most of his time in center field this season but also has experience at both middle infield positions. He’s hitting .271/.332/.409 with nine homers and 32 steals at the Triple-A level this season. Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo over at MLB.com feel that he’s a fringy option at shortstop but can play an adequate second base or center field. He lacks a standout tool but possesses more power than most middle infielders and has “solid” speed.
Richy, 23, was L.A.’s third-round pick in 2014. He has a four-pitch mix with a fastball that tops out at 94 mph. He’s able to throw strikes and projects as a potential back-of-the-rotation starter, per MLB.com. Fangraphs Kiley McDaniel also wrote up both players in his preseason look at the Dodgers’ farm system. Baseball America ranked Sweeney 16th among Dodgers farmhands and ranked Richy 24th prior to the season
MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki first reported that the Dodgers were moving closer to a deal. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweeted that two minor leaguers would go to the Phillies, with about $4MM going to the Dodgers. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweeted that the deal had been agreed to. Zolecki reported that Sweeney was in the deal (Twitter link). Rosenthal reported that Richy was the other minor leaguer (Twitter link).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
With all the money the Dodgers have spent the last 3 years, they have to do this?
Hundreds of millions of dollars given out and they don’t have an adequate 2B anywhere in their system to play for a month or two?
Shades of the $700 hammers produced at the aerospace companies there.
they do but im not sure he ready yet and they could try the guy they got from the braves, but if howie cant be 100% come playoff time dodgers will need a proven 2nd baseman not some minor league who unproven. seager could be a choice if they chose to move turner to 2nd and have seager man 3rd but not sure if he ever played 3rd before
They are looking for a stop-gap veteran in the middle of a race to the playoffs – such is life.
Considering they have two of the top middle infields prospects in baseball sitting at AAA, one of which is arguably now the top prospect full stop – this is quite a nice luxury to have. There are teams that are forced to throw kids in the heat of the race – and there are teams that don’t have to.
More to the point… we heard Utley did not want to play in a utility role. So what does this mean about the return of Kendrick?
could mean they want to be safe if kenrick not 100% when he comes back
Players don’t normally come back from a hamstring injury unless they are 105%. The problem is this can take time. A lot of time.
I am sure donnie baseball, will figure it out. He is a genius among baseball managers.
Look how he handles that bullpen on a nightly basis.
He is always 1 or 2 steps ahead of the opposing manager, in late inning matchup situations.
I believe the Dodgers should be more concerned with their bull pen. But expanding rosters might change that.
if you cant get outs who cares about the offense. but i think getting utley means who knows howies injury can be worst then we think or it just to be safe in case howie not 100% for the playoffs
Deals aren’t relative like that. Picking up short-term cover doesn’t suddenly mean they have stopped looking for anything else.
Concern in one area won’t jeopardize concern elsewhere.
Not that it matters, but if the Dodgers pull this off, I think the Dodgers will inherit a lot of temporary fans from Philadelphia this playoff push. Philly fans will live vicariously through the Dodgers seeing a double play combo of Rollins and Utley for one last playoff push.
that if utley plays 2nd still howie job but who knows if he will be 100% come playoffs
I’m a phillies fan of 35 years. I can tell you in all honesty, I don’t give a rats *** about the Dodgers no matter who’s there ! Rollins was wanted gone so he’s not getting you any phils fans lmao. Utley is a fan favorite but he’s going to make phils fans wish HIM well, NOT the rest of the Dodgers. It’s not like he’s an older player that never won a championship that they wanna see win one. He’s won one in philly
Interesting that all these Phillies fans will root for the new Dodgers players after begging for a rebuild. I’m not actually sure the Dodgers get many sympathy fans… They’re like the Yankee teams.
If Chase and Jimmy didn’t win a World Series here, things might be different for me. But there’s no way I can root for a $300 million payroll team to win. I want both players to do well, but I won’t be rooting for the Dodgers to win the World Series.
Phillies fans for the most part wanted JRol gone from what I understand. They were actually happy to see him go. Utley is different. They might wish him well alone, but any true Philly fan will not want to see the Dodgers win JUST because there’s ex-Phils on the team….
i like the deal but i wonder who those players the dodgers will send. can never be too safe and have a plan b if kenrick not 100% come playoffs. but it doesnt fix the pen
Well this just really maximizes the platoon advantages the Dodgers can utilize. We now have the roster flexibility to platoon at almost every position to get the best match-ups possible.
Now about that bullpen…
shouldnt we worry about the pen more then the offense that seem to be ok. i hope call ups bring us some much needed help in the pen or at least latos find his inner jeff weaver. sure weaver wasnt great but he was still a decent long arm in the pen
since dodgers will likely never trust zach lee to put him on the mound, may as well send him to philly?
Not for a 35 game rental.
They could always bring Utley back. They aren’t thrilled with Hernandez or Peraza obviously or they wouldn’t have traded for Utley.
Utley, Turner/Peraza and Seager could be their 2016 infield.
His option is going to be 5-11M, which is Utley plays well, he should get that on the FA market anyways.
maybe it not about liking a player it about having a more proven bat in the lineup. who knows how kenrick will be when he get back. will he be a 100% who knows it doesnt hurt to have a proven bat as a back up
Utley’s option isn’t going to vest no matter where he plays out the season, so he’ll be a free agent, and now without the QO burden. Assuming they are not ready to go with Peraza, given the choice between Utley and Kendrick, the preference has to be for Kendrick. Hernandez is a super-utility player. The Dodgers have to be thrilled with how he’s performed in that role and would be more thrilled to be able to keep him in it.
he wasnt going to get a qo.
His vesting option for 2016 is $15M, so yes, he might well have gotten one.
zero chance. the vesting option wasnt going to vest and was given by a moronic gm no longer actually in power
So a healthy Utley was worth $15M a year before, but he isn’t now? Interesting.
Yep, had the option vested he wouldn’t have gone the QO route anyway…and now that he wasnt going to make that Phillies weren’t going to QO him
Hmm. Let’s see, the option was $15M and a QO would be just about $15M. So yeah no way that’s even possible.
Utley wasn’t going to get a QO anyway.
I disagree, this isn’t a mark against Kike, he is extremely valuable as a plug-in at nearly every spot on the field. This has more to do with making the roster even deeper, and being able to continually utilize Kike as a platoon partner at several different spots on the field. As the roster is constructed right now, that’s how Kike will be most valuable.
Not a bad idea, but it did say 2 minor leaguers.
Would imagine both are in the 10-15 range in the Dodgers farm.
I’ve always liked Austin Barnes, and hes blocked by Grandel,but thats a lot of such a short time of a rental.
I kinda doubt Barnes is involved, too many reports that the new FO is high on him. In my mind Sweeney seems more likely to be part of the trade.
Lol 2 between 10-15?! This is 2015 utley man. Its prolly a top 20 and a live arm with a high k rate and high bb rate.
they actually did give lee a one game shot and it went pretty bad.
Rollins+Utley again. Maybe a change of scenery and being on a winning team will improve utleys performance
Hes been red hot since getting back from the DL.
My opinion may be a bit biased (or not, who knows) but I think you can expect a decent 2- hole or 6-hole hitter out of Utley. Hes moving really well, something he wasn’t doing earlier.
Getting out of Philly will do Utley wonders. That being said he already started turning things around since his DL stint.
August stats 14 games, .485 BA , 1.228 OPS.
how will getting out of philly help him?
You would think a player who played for a team 30 games out and now going to a playoff bound 1st place team , potential WS Champ , better lineup,better protection would make a player more focused and better .
you’ve seen Chase play, right? he’s always focused…except on the bath paths some time;
Because he’ll be hitting in a better lineup, in a race, with incentive to win.
Have you ever been to Philly….? I kid…I kid. He is also going to a team in the middle of a race for a playoff spot. Good move by LAD (assuming the prospects are fringe) to add depth.
Utley is hitting nearly .500 in August
With Joc struggling mightily, I’m assuming that Hernandez will be seeing a lot of time at 2nd and center. So either way Kiké will get his ABs.
Kike has been red hot lately, so I have a hard time seeing him losing any playing time down the stretch.
But With Howie reportedly only two weeks away from returning, I do not get this trade
I think it was to block the Giants from getting him. They did this with Darwin Barney also.
The difference is that the Giants had waiver priority this time. If they really wanted Utley they could have claimed him and made it so either he went to SF or went nowhere. That didn’t happen so I assume the Giants had no real interest in him.
They had no real interest in taking on his entire contract, just like every other team. That’s why he cleared waivers.
Giants had a shot to get him before LA did, since they are lower in the standings.
Good! Now he won’t have a chance to ruin any Mets games in the regular season!
sorry to see Utley leaving the Phillies. Rare to see someone play their entire career in one uniform. But he’s on fire right now and can be of help to someone and he has a chance to play in post season.
Better be at least a LAD TOP 7 prospect coming back or the Phillies got hosed. Utley is crushing the ball, his timing is down and his power will increase.
Its only a ~6 week rental, Utley has only been good for 2 weeks and Utley would seemingly only waive to go to SoCal.
Why does it have to be a 6 week rental? LAD have a nice club option to keep Utley.
Now if he were a FA next year I would agree with you.
But they aren’t trading for the club option.
They’re trading for the remaining 6 weeks.
Their is no gua of rntee for the option.
They aren’t going to trade a top prospect for the possibility of having Utley for next year.
“But they aren’t trading for the club option.
They’re trading for the remaining 6 weeks”
How do you know that?.
What did you want the Philies to accept slop to appease Utley and help a NL rival out (LAD)?
Doesnt work that way. The trade needed to accomodate 3 parties including the Philadelphia Phillies. No Freebies for a borderline hall of famer who is on fire and running the bases like a 25 y.o.
The Phillies get to shed money and offer a very good player for them an opportunity to make another run at a championship. Utley could have blocked it, so there had to be some give and take regardless if management wanted to reward a good player for them.
There are solid major league starting pitchers not pulling back high end prospects. Utleys marginal at this point
I hope you’re joking. You realize the sample size we’re talking about of him playing well, right? Either that, or you’re an overly attached Phillies fan.
His sample size is 11 years. Utleys offensive numbers rank near the top all time for 2B.
You cant just look at a players career as a whole and ignore the last two years beside the two weeks that support your position.
Using career numbers to justify giving up a top 7 prospect for what you’re getting in the here and now doesn’t add up. You and I both know that he was bad this year until this 2 week stretch. It’s not even like he comes with desirable control, his option situtation isn’t appealing and I doubt this is a long term consideration for them anyhow. He’s not worth the front line prospects.
Using that logic CC Sabathia would be a Top 10 pitcher right now in the MLB.
Ichiro would be worth a fortune to the retooling Marlins.
Ichiro? No…I’d want Andruw Jones because he displayed power in Atlanta
Only if MLB started a league on mars.
By this logic the Phillies should sign Andrew Jones….he was great in Atlants
Thats too small a sample size to matter, the seasons almost over,Utley is 36, the dodgers are giving $2 million to the Phills,The Phillies could only talk to teams Utley was willing to play for. Don’t hold your breath.
if it’s a top 7 i’ll give you the amount of one of Chase’s game checks.
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS Miami, FL
dodgers, phillies have been discussing prospects. it’s said likely to be a decent prospect (tho not top guy) if it happens….
My man I Doubt Phillies would trade Utey and pick up most of his salary for a fringe prospect.
You can make that $150K check out to LT Michaels 🙂
That doesn’t mean a top 7 prospect. No way they’re getting Peraza, Seager, Urias, Holmes, Leon or Verdugo for Utley. (Buehler can’t be dealt for 2-3 more months.)
Just because its not a top 7 guy, doesn’t mean its a decent return.
I’d think most people would be very happy with a return similar to Jimmy Rollins.
This guy is very confused about prospects.
Guess you have to cancel the check…
To hell with that. I can’t be penalized for Rubes ineptitude. I want that check. Utley + $4 m should have returned a top 7-8 prospect.
Terrible trade for the Phillies
Not shocking.
The Phillies got a very good trade. You are very out of touch with value and you are throwing out those numbers as if they really mean something.
Get back to me on this trade in Nov 2018 after Utley regains form and helps lead the Dodgers to 3 WS Championships.
I dont think Dodger or most mlb fans have any idea what you are getting in Chase Utley.
You cant really believe
that
Could be hyperbole but it also could be more realistic than you think.
When is the last time you saw Utley play?
He runs the bases like he is 27, Bat is lightning quick. If he can avoid the isolated injuries he has a good 3 years left.
Howie Kendricks is an impending FA correct? Im going out on a limb and saying he wont be re-signing with LAD because Utley is going to be the long term 2B in LA.
There is zero evidence to show that Utley has much more left in him.
Being a fan seems painful for you….can I recommend checkers?
Guess you won’t be getting your check, huh?
Friedman loves his prospect group. No way you’re getting even a top 10. I think the highest you will get is Austin Barnes.
I’d be very happy with that.
And fair enough too – Austin Barnes is definitely not short on talent, just short on opportunity. He would be a big win for the Phillies.
Barbes wont be involved dont worry dodger fans
Lol remember when you thought he would get a top 7 prospect but he returned a 16 and 24?
Dear Chase, I feel like I can call you Chase because you and me are so alike. I’d like to meet you one day, it would be great to have a catch. I know I can’t throw as fast as you but I think you’d be impressed with my speed. I love your hair, you run fast. Did you have a good relationship with your father? Me neither. These are all things we can talk about and more. I know you have no been getting my letters because I know you would write back if you did. I hope you write back this time, and we can become good friends. I am sure our relationship would be a real homerun!
hahahaha
I can’t help but say this. I love you for writing this. One of the best episodes ever.
I just had to, I couldn’t help it!
If you only had some stickers…. That would make your comment really pop…
As much as I rolled my eyes during the Utley saga, I wish him the best.
Darnell Sweeney? So they just got rid of Ben Revere and now they are getting a less polished version of him? Eh, whatever floats their boat I guess.
Sweeney has a bit of pop. I would think Philadelphia would move him back to 2B where he’d likely be an above average offensive second baseman.
He’s a pretty good get – the second prospect will just be a bonus. Sweeney has a bit of pop, some speed, and good defensive utility. Not a bad return.
I’m calling a moratorium on the term “get”
Sweeneys basically a feady made utility guy. Except you get 6 years of control and can give him an opportunity to play everyday to see maybe theres more. Second guy is prolly a live arm. Better than nothing.
Called it
Mac is going to be devastated when he hears about this. =(
After seeing the loss today by the Dodgers, we need a hot bat.
You are getting the hottest hitter in baseball.
August
.484 BA
1.227 OPS
Good for Sweeney getting a big league spot
Sweeney probably takes over at 2B with Cesar Hernandez moving to 3B (Franco injury).
Utley spent an hour today watching film of Astros P Mike Fiers who the Dodgers will face on Friday.
I hope you and Utley can withstand this long distance relationship.
Phillies eat 4 million and still get 2 scrubs ? Some things never change
I can’t imagine Utley being on LA’s 2016 roster but he should help them hold off the Giants and win the Division. That’s all the Dodgers need out of this deal because there is no assurance that a second team from the West will make the playoffs.
If Utley wants to stay out west, he needs to look at the Angels.
Unless he is a really good middle relief pitcher, this is not a good move in any way.
Just because they add someone like Utley doesn’t mean they won’t get a reliever.
(Some) Dodgers fans are really spoiled..
Good trade for the Dodgers. You have a 2B until HKendrick returns from the hammy injury and a DH for the World Series.
Now all they need is to pick up Ryan Howard, and they can have the Phillies west coast version.
I am sure Gonzalez would be more than happy to move to the outfield.
Dodgers going nowhere, and unless Kershaw and Grienke can pitch every day, they might not even win that week division.
Just keep spending money , Magic, you fool!
I want future apologies from everyone after Utley leads the Dodgers to a WS Title and represents the LAD in the next 2 all-star games at 2B.
I won’t be giving any apologies. The Phillies did what they needed to do at this point in time for the future. You need to decide if you’re a Chase Utley fan or a Phillie fan….cause Chase might get annoyed at you cheering him on during his retirement golf outings and car dealership grand openings.
Yeah….two more AS Game selections would shock everyone involved….but I doubt its even with the Dodgers if it happens. He’s a 36 year old middle infielder with health risk at this point.
I mean… I get it….I was a Ryne Sandberg fan growing up. I’m not sure how I’d have felt about the Cubs dealing him in about 1992…no…I know how I’d have felt…because by that point he was really beyond being a major contributor and was drawing a big salary.
Utley had an outstanding career in,Philadelphia. Let him go on and be a vet presence somewhere else. Who knows… Maybe the Phillies bring him back in 2016 on a lesser salary.
I will say this though. Baseball could use more fans that are as passionate about players and teams winning day in and day out. The modern game has a quasi-gm like fan base that discusses rebuilds and contracts alot….in some way it can take away from how the game can be enjoyed as its played on the field.
I’ll say this Utley trade was an honor for him. Most players don’t have a career like his with one team in one city. Players play a few seasons..then have to adapt to a new city all over again. Not many get to basically dictate terms and have an organization honor their request. Utley will always be a Phillie…and in some ways it’d be perfect if they were contending now and he was coming back to help them in the drive….but it didn’t happen. I also imagine that Utley knows this will help the Phillies as well. He’ll always be a Phillie..and I expect you’ll see him back there in some capacity soon
That’s an odd way to talk about a team in first place.
Sad to think that Howard is the lone remaining piece of that core. RIP 2008 Phillies.
They don’t even need him.