Chase Utley Q & A

Ryan Howard earned National League MVP honors in 2006, and Jimmy Rollins followed suit in 2007.

Phillies fans think Chase Utley could pull the MVP three-peat in 2008. Utley, born and raised in California, is one of the franchise's most popular players. He also is an environmentalist (he published his thoughts at stopglobalwarming.org last year) and an animal lover (he and his wife, Jen, are involved with the Pennsylvania SPCA).

We asked readers of The Inquirer's Phillies blog - the Zo Zone - for their questions for Utley. Because he gets asked baseball questions every day, we thought we'd throw in a few off-the-wall ones, too.

Thankfully, he played along.

Question: Who is your least favorite pitcher to face?

- Arch D., Philadelphia

Answer: Dontrelle Willis, I had a tough time with. And I'm really sorry to see that he's in the American League.

Q: You have a reputation for being cool under pressure. What really goes through you mind in a clutch situation? Is it all business or do you think about what's on the line?

- Bob S., Downingtown, Pa.

A: To be honest with you, it's all business. You're trying to succeed every at-bat. Whether it's an important at-bat, or not an important at-bat. So you try to keep the same all the time, so it doesn't make a difference.

Q: How do you plan your off-season?

- Kurt H., Hot Springs, Ark.

A: I usually take a month off after the season is over. I kind of relax. Let my body rest. But come mid-November, I'm hitting the gym and getting ready for this year.

Q: Is it your turn to be this year's MVP?

- Greg M., Ringwood, N.J.

A: My goal this year is to improve upon last year. That's my goal every year and that's not going to change.

Q: How do you deal with the lack of [the West Coast-based] In-N-Out Burgers out east? When you're home how often do you visit? And what do you order off the secret menu?

- Keith J., New York, N.Y.

A: At In-N-Out, I'm "double-double, animal style" [on the secret menu]. I'm a little disappointed there aren't any/more In-N-Outs on the East Coast. That's probably a good thing, because I might hit them up a little too much. So when I get to the West Coast, [I visit In-N-Out] twice.

Q: There are two cages over a pit of lava and both are descending. In one cage, there are blueprints for revolutionary emissions-free technology. In the other is Shane Victorino. You can only save one. Which one do you save?

- Greg G., Washington, DC.

A: OK ... I'm going to have to save my centerfielder. I'm saving my centerfielder, yes. I have his back. Hopefully, he'd do the same for me.

Q: We know you and your wife are involved in SPCA. What kind of pets do you own?

- Dave V.

A: We have two cats that we've had for a few years. I would love a dog, but with our travel schedule, we're not around enough to take care of it the proper way. But one day, maybe, we'll grab a dog.

Q: What is your favorite Philly restaurant?

- Dan C., Philadelphia.

A: I have a lot, but I'm a big sushi fan, so Morimoto's is a good spot to go.

Q: Are you a Led Zeppelin fan or did you just pick "Kashmir" as your intro music because you like it?

- Keith K., Liverpool, N.Y.

A: No, I like a few of their songs, but "Kashmir" is just a good, intense song.

Q: What concert or event would you skip curfew for the night before an afternoon game?

- Jordan E., Phoenix.

A: There would probably be a few. Jimmy [Rollins] would like this one: I grew up in Long Beach and I was a big Snoop Dogg fan growing up, so getting to see him perform in person would be fun.

On the farm

The Phillies have high hopes for righthander Carlos Carrasco, but don't expect him to bust into the Phillies 'rotation soon.

Carrasco, the organization's No. 1 prospect, is in camp as a non-roster invitee, but he probably won't stick around long. He is expected to open the season in double-A Reading, where he was 6-4 in 13 starts last season.

"He's matured every year, but I think he still has more maturing to go," Phillies assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle said. "Both physically and mentally. I think he needs another full year at the minor-league level. At least. He can alter that timetable for us by what he does, but my gut is that he needs another full year."

Kyle Kendrick shocked the Phillies last year when they promoted him from double A and won 10 games. (He was only 4-7 in 12 starts last year at Reading). But the big difference between the 24-year-old Kendrick and the 20-year-old Carrasco is command. Kendrick could locate his fastball consistently. Carrasco has not done that yet.

"But I think he can be an upper-part-of-the-rotation guy," Arbuckle said. "The stuff is there. Athleticism. Body strength. All the raw ingredients you look for are there. Realistically, I don't think you know if a guy can be a No. 1 or a No. 2 until he gets there. Because you get to see their mental make-up, then. But the stuff is there definitely to pitch up there."

Comment of the week

We pick the best comment on the Zo Zone from this week. And - surprise! - it's about Ryan Howard winning $10 /million/ in his salary arbitration against the Phillies:

"To those celebrating Howard's victory, remember that the Phillies play by a budget, like it or not. Three million extra for Howard ... means less money for in-season replacements and less money that the Phillies have to spend on other players later. Think about how the Phillies would have done last year if [Kyle] Lohse and [Tadahito] Iguchi hadn't come in."

- MattS, Howard Wins, Thursday.

Clearwater revival

Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said he won't be back after this season. Phillies president David Montgomery isn't saying much about his potential successor, and wouldn't speculate on whether he could find an in-house replacement such as assistant GMs Ruben Amaro Jr. or Mike Arbuckle before the season concludes. ... Lefthander Joe Savery, the team's first-round pick last year, will start Tuesday's exhibition against Florida State at Bright House Field. He will throw two innings. ... The Phillies signed righthander Kyle Kendrick, infielders Greg Dobbs and Brad Harman, and outfielder T.J. Bohn to split contracts. Split contracts mean the player is paid one amount if they are on the 25-man roster, and a different number if they are in the minor leagues. ... The Phillies sold more than 50,000 individual tickets Thursday, the first day they were available. Including pre-sales, the Phillies' individual ticket sales already have reached 250,000 compared with 150,000 a year ago.

"We were very pleased," Montgomery said. "It really has been tremendous. We're very encouraged."