Chase Utley's experiment at third base is all but dead
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Chase Utley's experiment at third base is all but dead
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Phillies are not going to move Chase Utley to third base. (Matt Slocum/AP)
MIAMI — Chase Utley will no longer pursue a possible position switch to third base after Phillies officials deemed it impractical.
Utley was informed of the team's decision during a pregame meeting Friday at Marlins Park with Ruben Amaro Jr. and Charlie Manuel. He had completed a half-dozen practice sessions at third and demonstrated "progress," Amaro said.
Ultimately, the team did not believe it could accurately evaluate Utley's viability there with only six games remaining in 2012.
"I don't know if it's a matter whether or not he can do it," Amaro said. "I think it's more a matter of practicality and what's really best for the team overall. While having that option would be helpful, I don't know if it's really an option that's going to make us necessarily better."
Amaro said the idea isn't "dead." But Utley will cease his workouts at third and it appears the team is fully headed in another direction.
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Comments (21)
I think what Amaro meant to say was "there's no chance in hell that Utley can play 3B at the major league level".— ITM- Love the guy but if his knees won't hold up to playing in the field anymore DHing is the only option and may be best for all involved. That short right field porch may make him a good candidate for the Yanks if they have anything to trade back to us. Where's our minor league guru bearsfriend?— tpizza
- Finally giving Howard a night off, but why is Wiggy and Martinez in the lineup. Why not let Brown play and see what he does. Why not have someone up from Lehigh or Reading and let them play instead of Martinez in center? What's the point? Why not use these games to let some of your young players get in a few games?— Fan74
- trade rollins, move utley to shortstop and start galvis at second. or see how gavlis does at short, and trade jimmy anyway.
- With no free agent at thirdbase that appeals, and the fact that Kevin Frandsen has kept his average at least 50 points over any reasonable expectation for a growing time span, one might think a Frandsen/Galvis piecemeal at the position for 2013, waiting for cody Asche to maybe be ready late in the season or in 2014...Another option is a trade for the quality flexible type, like Allen Craig,Matt Carpenter, or Zack Cozart...all who can play third a little bit, with the firs two able to play corner outfield positions as well if those experiments don't workout.— bearsfriend
- You channeled me again bear. I just made a similar comment about a Frandsen/Galvis combo in Murphy's article. You can see ways that could work. Galvis becomes more of a utility guy picking up 3B. Frandsen can continue to make his case based on his offense and acceptable (but not great) 3B defense. Galvis should still get enough ABs to see what he can offer offensively. I think chances are good that Galvis could bring the same great defense to 3B. He can be the late game defensive guy and also get some starts at SS, 2B and 3B to get him playing time. The only thing Martinez would have over him at that point is the ability play CF. — s
- I'm an Utley fan, but in spite of it, I read about his knee problems, and figured I'd never see Utley on the playing field again. I sold him short ! I don't hope he makes the switch, but if he does,I have complete faith that he won't embarrass himself, or the club.— phineas
- Why not move him to left? If Burrell can do it anyone can— eaglesfan19306
- I'm very surprised that the experiment was cut off this quickly. Utley has only had a few sessions at third, and would no doubt become more proficient. I can think of two exactly opposite explanations: (1) Utley can't make the throw (something that would probably not change)or, more likely,3rd base is no less painful than 2nd base.— camdenlawprof
- Trade Howard (eat half his salary)
Move Ruf to first base
Move Utley to left field (grass is easier on the knees & joints)
Galvis to second
problem solved.— astroqueen0 - Take this article on face value-- there's not enough time to evaluate Chase at third, and he's not playing winter ball. But they'll revisit it next spring depending on the offseason. Why can't Galvis play third? He's got the baseball smarts.— everydayguy
- I dont think Utley can make the throw over there in time, just my opinion based on how he throws now to first base. Hes my favorite Phillie on the team, but i just dont see him at third base when Frandsen and Galvis can play that position!— huntnmike3666
- Galvis won't be playing 3rd, and I don't think he should...From what I gather, the whole idea of Utley moving to 3rd was to strengthen the defense with Galvis playing 2nd. Defensively, 2nd base is a more important position than 3rd simply because there are more balls hit in the middle of the field. Having Galvis at 3rd would kind of waste his defensive prowess AND give you an 8-hole hitter as your 3rd baseman.
I liked the idea of Utley moving to 3rd, obviously with the assumption that he could actually do it. Oh well, we'll what happens...and I'm not sold on the idea of Frandsen being the every 3rd baseman for next season either. RAJ has much to do this offseason.— Reality Speaks - Wake up. Galvis hit .226 on PEDs. He'll be a Mendoza line hitter his whole Major League career. Please, folks, wishing him to be even Rick Schu at third base is like wishing that Mayberry could replace Werth's offensive production this year. There are 1-tool guys (Galvis: defense; Mayberry: versatility) and there are legitimate players. I guarantee you that Galvis will be be a starter on Opening Day 2013. He might have the 24th or 25th spot on the team, but he's not a Major League hitter. No way.
— eman
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The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
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