A link between Derek Jeter and Chase Utley

   It's been awhile since I have updated my blog, and I am currently working on a post about the top five catchers in the game right now, but with the trade deadline quickly approaching, I wanted to take the time to talk about that. This is not one of my typical blog posts with lots of stats/predictions/comparisons. This post has a specific purpose, I am not going to focus much on trades that have happened and how the market is shaping up. I mean in essence, Matt Garza has been traded to the Rangers, Jesse Crain to the Rays, Scott Downs to the Braves, Alfonso Soriano to the Yankees and so on. I am not saying that these trades are minute; the trades will all clearly help determine games down the stretch and during the playoffs. However, I posted about the Phillies last year and will do the same this year. Unlike last year though, I am not going to focus on the whole team, but rather on my favorite player, Chase Utley.

   Derek Jeter was the player who really got me into baseball, as I watched him play stellar defense and hit with the best of them. Despite the fact that Jeter got me into watching MLB heavily in 2006, it was ultimately Utley who made me appreciate baseball even more. Utley was the one player that I learned the most from by watching, and the player that I realized played baseball the way that it should be played. As cliche as it sounds, Utley hustles during every play no matter the score or inning, never gives up an at bat and is a leader not only on the field but off the field as well. The Phillies have become sellers as they have lost eight straight and fallen seven games below .500 and fallen back to third in the NL East. As a fan of the Phillies I realize that it is time to sale anyone who may not be a fit for this team over the next few seasons. If the price is right, I am not against the Phillies trading Cliff Lee or anyone else for that matter. I would except whatever they could get for Delmon Young or Michael Young, because this team needs to be restructured. However, selfishly, I want the Phillies to hang onto Utley for the rest of his career. The reason simply being that Utley is the player I modeled my own game after, a player I have tons of respect for, and the reason I became a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies in the first place. 

   At the same time, if the Phillies cannot reach a reasonable extension with Utley, say 2 or 3 years/12million per year(at most) with a club or vesting option, then they should entertain offers for their All-Star Second Baseman. I mean, Utley will be 35 in December, and he has a chronic knee condition. Now the condition has not hampered him this year as he has hit 13HR, has 36RBI and a .274BA, which are solid numbers. But, his leg condition is not going away, it may even get worse and he is not getting any younger. If the Phillies were to trade Utley, they would need to get at least the value of a compensation pick back in next years draft if not more. The Phillies should not just "give" Utley away. 

   If Utley wants to stay, be traded or walk at the end of the season, he has earned the right. A trade may even be in Utley's best interest as well. I know the Phillies are currently working on an extension for Utley, but who knows what the outcome may be. Utley may have played his last game as a Phillie yesterday afternoon or may have many more to come. Either way, Utley will always be a Phillie to me  my favorite player, and I will follow his career no matter what the outcome is.