The Philadelphia Phillies have come to an agreement with longtime second baseman Chase Utley, sources say, on a two-year, $27 million deal.
The oft-injured second baseman's career seemed in jeopardy in the not-so-distant past, but a solid campaign this year has renewed Philadelphia's faith in the lefty infielder.
In 2013, Utley is hitting .277 with 15 home runs and 54 RBI, good numbers at a position where most teams in the league lack even double-digit home run power. He has compiled these numbers in 84 games; the Phillies have played 113. The biggest issue for Utley throughout his career has been injuries.
In 11 MLB seasons Utley has only broken 150 games played three times, the last of those seasons being 2009. In the three years prior to 2013, Utley appeared in 196 out of 486 games, or 40 percent. Still, Utley has been a popular player since he joined Philadelphia in 2003, and has spent his entire career with the Phillies.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has been quoted saying, "We'd like to keep the man in our pinstripes." Utley expressed similar sentiments, saying prior to the All-Star break, "I've never envisioned wearing another team's uniform."
In his prime Utley was an All-Star for five consecutive seasons and finished inside the top 10 in MVP voting three times. He also brought home four straight Silver Slugger awards from 2006 to 2009, an award given to the player in each league with the highest batting average at his position.
Re-signing him shows Amaro's loyalty to the group of players who helped Philly take over the mantle of the National League East's king from the Atlanta Braves from 2007 to 2011, a stretch of five consecutive NL East crowns. With Utley playing a major role the Phillies won the World Series in 2008, and followed that year up with a return trip to the October Classic where they fell to the New York Yankees.
Amaro is also interested in re-signing pitcher Roy Halladay and catcher Carlos Ruiz, both free agents at the end of the season. Halladay has struggled for the past two seasons and is far removed from his days as the top pitcher in baseball. The two-time Cy Young winner was just 2-4 with an 8.65 ERA this year before hitting the disabled list.
Ruiz, affectionately known as "Chooch" had an All-Star season in 2012 that was marred by a 50-game suspension for PED use. 2013 has been a return to Earth for Ruiz, who is hitting .259 with two homers and 12 RBI in just 170 at-bats.
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