It's unlikely, but door not closed on Chase Utley switching positions
Begin with this: Charlie Manuel is not so sure playing a position other than second base will alleviate the pain in Chase Utley's chronically injured knees. Any such position switch is unlikely.
It's unlikely, but door not closed on Chase Utley switching positions
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Begin with this: Charlie Manuel is not so sure playing a position other than second base will alleviate the pain in Chase Utley's chronically injured knees. Any such position switch is unlikely.
"If he's going to have pain, he can have pain at first base, left field, right field, wherever. Just like he would have at second," Manuel said. "Getting him healthy and seeing what he can still do is the big thing."
But then there is this: Manuel would not completely shut the door on Utley playing left field or first base, however unlikely, upon his return. Utley played in his first extended spring training game Monday in Clearwater, Fla., and went 3 for 4 with a home run as designated hitter.
Utley is still weeks away from a return, but his progress allows some moments to think ahead. Freddy Galvis has played adeptly at second base. There has been production in left field from Juan Pierre, but it remains unsettled.
Could the Phillies move Utley to keep Galvis active? It's unlikely, especially in the middle of the season, but still not totally ridiculous. Manuel said the idea has come up in informal conversations. But before anything crazy were to happen, the manager said Utley has a strong say.
"We should sit him down and really ask him that before we do that," Manuel said. "He's earned that right to at least have a say in that."
When asked if he was committed to Utley as his second baseman, Manuel declined to answer.
"I don't have to right now," Manuel said. "When he comes back, we'll see. Why should I answer that today? That's sending the wrong message."
Whatever the case, it's likely Utley is eventually the Phillies' second baseman. But down the line, a switch is not as crazy as it seemed before.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Other than catcher, the middle infielders have the toughest and stressful positions because they are more active. So, most likely he'll suffer more pain playing second. What the hell is talking about?— EL Zorro- Can we at least acknowledge at the top that he has a puss arm even for a 2nd basemen so there is no way he could play leftfield? He would probably one-hop the cutoff man or throw skyballs you could time with a sundial. Oh, yeah, he also lost his power years ago(even then it was spotty, if he hot 30 HR's he'd hit .270, if he hit .290 he would drop down to 20 HR's) so since when do you "find" a place for a weak slap hitting .260 hitter who could never do anything but pull the ball? — UncleStosh
- Galvis is loads better defensively than Utley. Platoon him at 1st w/ Wigginton to ease him back. If/when Howard returns send Utley to LF.
I guess Charlie is too stupid to realize the amount of movement that occurs at 2B, like DP pivots.— brio 
Headline: Utley could change pants size!!! Yawn.— zubzub- Agree w/both of you guys. 2B is very rough on the knees especially the stop & pivots- but - we should all by now Manuel is playing w/less than a full deck.— Northcountry
- What are you talking about North. He brought us a world championship. How many other managers/coaches have done that in Philly? — grimm39
- They have adequate LFers in Pierre and a young guy in Mayberry who should be playing so he can get better. At first is Wigginton who is ok and Luna, a career minor leaguer. So it's obvious that he should play first base.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- I don't think it is smart to shuttle him all around the field. If he is going to move (and get back on the field), put him in left field. It's his best bet to extend his career and get another contract and it's a position of need for the Phillies. Utley will be an upgrade over Pierre in every aspect- higher OBP, more power, as good or better in terms of fielding, better base runner.— jtj10
- This entire article is about what is NOT likely to happen, so why bother to even write it? I already regret reading it.— DiggityWak
- Makes sense to put him in a spot where the stress on his knees is minimal. The pivot a second baseman must make, the punishment he takes, is not that place. I'd say to move Utley to left field for the remainder of the season, and to third base next year when Polly moves on.— hunsinator
- Instead of the Astros going to the American League, why can't the Phillies volunteer? Problem solved. Chase Utley DH.— EmanuelP
- Bring the DH to the National League. Seems like alot of players would love to see that.— thomdee
- The platoon with Wiggington is obviously a good move...it makes no sense to take Freddy Galvis, who has the potential to be an absolutely ELITE player, out of the lineup right now.— kilo_005
- Yes, he could change positions - send him to the AL to be a DH. Why isn't the team considering that option? They could get something for him.— sonnybuoy01
