Utley at first base? Don't laugh
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Utley at first base? Don't laugh
Matt Gelb
PHOENIX — There isn't much else to discuss in the aftermath of a 9-5 drubbing at the hands of the Diamondbacks, so look ahead. And this is way ahead, far more ahead than we should be thinking.
Freddy Galvis has played quite well. It's only been 17 games, but the 22-year-old rookie has done more than hold his own. His defensive contributions will compensate for his shortcomings at the plate. (And he does have five extra-base hits, which ties for the team lead.)
The Phillies first baseman quartet of Ty Wigginton/John Mayberry Jr./Laynce Nix/Jim Thome? They haven't been awful; Phillies first basemen ranked eighth in the National League with a .730 OPS entering Monday.
With Chase Utley around the team for three days as only a taste for what the team hopes is a timely return, it's reasonable to wonder what will happen with the infield. This, of course, is presuming Utley returns before Ryan Howard does. It looks that way, but there are no formal timetables for either player and both are undergoing complex rehab processes.
But the question was raised to Charlie Manuel and, if you'll notice, he did not squash it.
Could Chase Utley play first base upon his return?
"We'll figure that out when we get there," Manuel said. "When we have to decide on that, we will."
By the time Utley returns, it could be moot. Maybe one of Wigginton/Mayberry/Nix/Thome has a hot bat. Maybe Galvis' bat has slowed so much that he's a liability. Maybe Utley doesn't feel comfortable at first.
Utley has played 26 career games (22 starts) at first base. He last did it in 2008. Playing first might reduce the wear and tear on his bad knees. But that's not a given.
If anything, it's something to ponder.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Comments (95)
Saw the video yesterday of him taking BP. He doesn't even use his legs anymore. Not good...— FightinPhil- 70-92 if they are lucky— quitethetenses
- Thank you Mr. Higgins. — PhightinPhil
Absolutely he should go to first base. Galvis is saving runs at second. This would also place the bench players right back where they belong. On the bench. If/When Howard comes back, Freddy should go back to AAA and keep hitting.
PS ... Mayberry actually looked like he might be able to hit again. Hope it's a trend.— zubzub- @ZZ: Agreed. CU26 to first for the time being. In September, RH6 moves 26 to second and Galvis to 3rd, but by that time everyone is hitting, the bench players are on the bench, and Galvis likely the 'roamer', utility guy.
Okay, here come the nega-posters calling me a dope. There.
I pre-empted you. You guys can look up 'pre-empt.'— 24sDad - Sounds like a well thought out reasonable plan to me, I guess you really are in for it now. Like the new pic ZUB, "And That's the Fact Jack"
— DUDESKINS - It seems like at this rate the other possibility may just be moving Galvis to 3rd if Polanco continues to be unproductive. Given how quickly he adapted to playing 2nd, I see no reason why Galvis wouldn't also be a great 3rd baseman.— kilo_005
- I think that it is something to think about but the first key is: Can he come back. I have the same knee condition and it never got better. I live with it but I certainly can't play baseball with it. I can't squat, I can't make a quick false move. The pain is handleable but it changes your gait to the extreme. I was told by the doctor that I needed knee replacement surgery 9 years ago. I put it off because of all the horror stories for that percentage for whom it is not a success and the smaller percentage who die of complications--think Eric Gregg.— gotedge
- I'm a big fan of Utley, but, if Utley does come back, the question will still be there if he will be able to play the remainder of the season even. Sad. There is not much choice now but to see how he mends, but we might be looking for a replacement for next season. A multi-million dollar player, with no trade value. That sums up the current situation with Chase for now.— Jacob
- Yes he should be the first base coach....stick a fork in him, he's done.— ArtieLange
- So is Hope Lange. — 24sDad
- Thome needs to retire. I love the guy but he's done.— t4tuck
- Utley's bat is league average at best now. Howard is the only impact bat left on the team and he's also significantly worse than he was in his prime.— lazyboy
- Agree with a previous comment, when Howard comes back, I'd love to see him move to third, leaving Galvis at 2nd.— Clean187
- Timely return? As much as I hope for the best, I think Utley is done. DH, maybe. Fightin is right: I saw Utley bp several times in the spring and he couldn't drive the ball to the track and that's when he was still expected to play opening day. The Utley fiasco of who knew what and when about his condition is the biggest reason the Phillies are scrambling.— TomO
- The window CLOSED last October; time to gut and rebuild this awful team.
— Anthony1957 - jurrjens was sent down -- some teams actually reward/punish performance and do not just stick with pre-conceived notions of who is supposed to be on the roster -- a new g.m. would release/send down about 10 of these useless players on Phils roster but Amaro has even less intergity than competence and in incapable of admitting all his gruesome errors— warbiscuit
- 24 and Kilo; I can see Galvis playing third next year. But this year I can't see him playing third better than Polanco. Now, if Polanco bats under .200, then OK. Also, next year we will have to determine if Utley has a future here. If not, it's probably gonna be easier to find a third baseman who can hit rather than a second baseman. ??— zubzub
- Why would you want a lefty playing third?— flyers26
- I thought all along Utley should play first when he comes back. Leave Galvis alone at 2nd where he fields like Trillo. I never thought Howard would be back this year anyway. 3rd base needs to be addressed in the off-season. There must be a bat at that position, and by the way, we need to think about another good catcher.— glennwilson
- First base sounds fine. I don't know why anyone would laugh because Utley has played first before and Galvis is doing just fine at second. It seems like a reasonable solution.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- As bad as Polanco is hitting, his glove is still golden at third base. It would be silly to replace him with Galvis there, who probably doesn't have the arm strength and doesn't hit much better than Polly anyway. What I want to know is if Utley can learn to play left field. The outfield should be easier on his body than second. Fewer quick lateral movements. That way we can extend his career and keep Freddy's defense on the field. It also fills a hole in left where, unless Dom Brown finally lives up to his potential, we have no one.— TheBoyWhoLovedTomGordon
- Howard's contract is killing them!!— yoyoma1
- OMG, the sky is falling again. You guys are the same guys who were crying about the same things last season, when they won 102 games. Keep it up though, someday they will be too old, that's a given. What they should be thinking about is moving Utley to LF where anyone can play (Ibanez, Luzinski, Incaviglia). I would have moved Rollins to 3rd, put Polanco back at 2b, and play Galvis at SS, where he can really make a difference defensively, permanently. Mayberry plays first everyday until Howard comes back, you need stability there, not a revolving door. Then you have Mayberry as an option at 1b and LF, so Utley and Howard stay healthy for the playoffs, and they will be in the playoffs, count on it!— Paul SoTX
- Keep in mind Howard has a foot injury and most likely hasn't been doing much to get his legs in shape for hte season, which means when he does come back we'll have a .225 hitting that strikes out 200+ times a year with no power and a liability at 1st base. I don't know how this happened but Phils went from 102 wins to what looks like the worst team in the NL. Wheels are coming off, just hope this means Manuel gets canned. And what about trading away Halliday and Lee while still both at top value and signine Hamels who still has some years and go get some youth back. Window has closed.— JuanSamuel4prez
- When pitching is THE hardest part to acquire suggesting Trading Lee and Doc for prospects is simply ludicrious. Both are signed to team friendly deals compared to what happened this last off season. and with what Fielder , Pujols, and Votto got Ryan Howard's contract looks reasonable now. It is possible to win with a weaker lineup like Atlanta does every year but no chance of competing without good pitching. — DUDESKINS
- Why would you think of Utley playing first when you have 25 mil. per year invested in another player? Howard's injury does not appear career threatening. Though not the player he was 3-4 year ago he still gives you 100+ RBIs. In this lineup he's needed. The question should be when will he return.— Don w
- Just until Howard comes back. That's my thinking. There's a decision to be made then of course. And, no Howard can't play 3B.
I could warm up to the idea of Galvis going back down for regular work if everyone else is back and hitting. That would be a good problem to have and by then Galvis would have shown enough to figure into the 2013 plans.— s - I like Galvis.
I am not as excited about his overall defense as others seem to be.
He has made a bunch of nice plays.
He has, on ocassion, played balls that were hit to his area rather poorly allowing the ball to get into the outfield, when he should have at least knocked the ball down.
Not sure if this is the team's positioning of him or him not sure how to handle the ball in certain situations.
I fully understand that the Phillies have him playing out of position.
Should Utley come back and reclaim 2B, which I expect, I would like to see Freddie get some playing time at third and see how he does there. Maybe he could grow into the position and it would solve the Phillies problem when Polanco leaves at the end of the year.
No matter what position they play him, I definitely think that they should continue to play him and let him get the Major League experience.
He certainly has been the brightest light on the team so far this year.— candidly - Move Chase to THIRD BASE, not First Base— makrom
- I'd prefer the tall Mayberry at 1st - he does a great job there - and if his bat comes around that'd be the best option. I really don't see Utley coming back and making any type of impact. Galvis has been STELLAR at 2nd. I would like to see him there for a LONG time!
- This comment has been deleted.— mrjetsondc420
- Cliff Lee is the new Chuck Norris of the Phillies. Until that silly oblique thing anyway. What no one knows is he got that pulling the team bus from San Diego to Arizona with his beard. — s
- Only bright spot is Galvis. A pleasant surprise.— dogman5
Everything is wait and see. The Position Players are playing Joker's Wild. It's the only Hand Cholie has right now.- How about third?— Sidewinder7
Comment removed.- Moving Utley to 3rd or 1st won't make a difference. Because he cannot hit like he used to. Is Utley going to be an improvement over whoever he replaces? I have my doubts as evident in his numbers declining each and every year since 08. I disagree with the window closing on the Phils. They still have a young OF, great pitching staff and closer. They need to get a solid infielder at 3rd or 2nd and they can contend once again. Howard will be fine at 1st. Thats 90-110 RBIs a season, which is above average and that is fine by me.— penncrow19
- I've liked the idea of Utley at 1B while Howard is out. But when Howard is back I think Utley has to go back to 2B is he's not in a wheelchair. Third is the interesting one to me. If you put egos, etc. aside I say Rollins is the best guy to move to 3B and Galvis to SS. As I said on another board: Howard comes back and shoves everyone to the left. I don't think that will happen though. And if Polanco finds his swing he can't be the odd man out. Once he's gone next year though ... however I would not put it past Galvis being able to play 3B as well by next year. I like this kid. I like this kid ... better than I thought I would.— s
- I think it's clear now that Utley will be back this year. I'm sticking by my guess of May sometime. If he's back he has to play because he's paid 15 million a year through 2013. No way to unload that salary if he can no longer play and doesn't retire. Utley can contribute even at 85-90% in my opinion.— s
- RYNE Time-we need some energy and some brains on the bench.— philsfansince1946
- He's going to 1B because we'll soon learn that Howard is out for the season. RAJ needs to get into trade-mode ASAP. Polly back to 2B. Make the moves for Longoria-3B and Coughlan/Morrison-LF NOW.— Seegs
- utley playing first until howard is back makes sense, but it would give you about the weakest hitting first base/second base combo in the league, not to mention adding polanco into the mix. trying to stay optimistic but its hard to see any good coming of this season, and have to agree the window is shutting. its just reality. at least ive got alot of juan pierre at bats to look forward to.— jim715
- For those of you new here, you don't know that Utley was tried at 3rd inthe minors as an experiment once we traded Rolen. He failed miserably. No arm to reach 1st. Everyone knows his arm is only worse now, not beter. Besides, all the diving in the hole to snare grounders would be terrible for his knees anyway. It seems logical to put him at 1st to save his news for a month ot two til Howard comes back. If Howard neds a skin graft and doesn't come back in '12 then he can stay there rest of the seasoon with Gaklvis at 2nd. It's appalling to me that we have statistically near thesame team as the Nats but are 5 1/2 games behind them. What does that say? Is Charlie mismanaging that much? Or is this just the most dysfuntional group of hitters you've ever seen in a lineup? I think it's a lot of both. There is just no cohesiveness in this team or their approach rightnow, unless you count the Ks and the swinging at balls out of the strike zone. They are ALL doing that.— Mark1npt
- @Seegs...do you drink much? How about a little of the weed? Longoria is the cornerstone of the Rays franchise. Do you honestly think they're gonna trade him? Morrison? Again, he's their starting LF for years to come and a division rival. This isn't Fantasy Baseball or MLB 2012, go back to your video games and let the adults run the team, please.— Mark1npt
- We all love Chase but the truth is he'sbest days arebehind him and we can only hope he can comeback and showat least hisbat is still good enough to be a DH in the American League than we (dare Isay it) trade him there. We will have to dothe same witgh Howard ina few season too. We really need to restock the farm system with very good players and realize that rebuilting will have to happen sooner than later. Lets hope that we can wait at least till next season! LETS GO PHILLIES!!!— srcdaddy1216
- @s, if it's true that Utley has made good prgress, is stronger and running painfree in just 3 weeks in AZ, then he needs atleast another 3 to improve further. That's if his rate of prgress continues as it has. Unfortunately, rehabbing injuries you plateau at times and don't see further progree for many weeks and with certain injuries you're only gonna get so good. At any rate he's gonna need 3 more weeks of strengthening minimum, and a week or two of rehab games to get his timing down so I wouldn't look for him before June 1st and wouldn't be surprised if it were the 15th or 30th.— Mark1npt
- Don't go blowing my odds with all your medical stuff now! :-)
Probably right. I was thinking he could hit the end of May.— s - I could think of three other guys that can play 1st base: Moe, Larry and Curly— Planet of the lacking analytical skills
- This is, by far, the best suggestion yet. Instead of tagging a guy trying to steal there would be the old eye poke. I like it and I will pay good money to see it. — s
- Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk — Planet of the lacking analytical skills
- Yes, if it were "appealing" to be like the Nats, that would be both a funny and a sad commentary on this sorry state of affairs, wouldn't it?— Mark1npt
- The old brain can go to mush watching games like these so it would have been perfectly understood if you really meant it.
I have to take my meds and get back to group Phillies therapy now.— s - Sure he can play 1st base. All he has to do is announce to the world he's a self-proclaimed "first-sacker extraordinaire" then tell a few tall tales that can't be backed up with facts. The press and the fans will swallow it hook, line and stinker.— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- A lot of you Phillies fans sure aren't intelligent. It's 3 weeks into the season and they are "done" already? You idiots say the same thing every season in April.— Forza Azzurri
- It seems everyone is desperate to find some solution to a dismal start. What stands out here is a manager incapable of winning without an array of superstars and a front office ill prepared by really not taking proper steps to combat injuries. Polanco and Schneider are washed, Mayberry, Stutes, and Bastardo have been figured out. Good baseball people figured Manuel out a long time ago.— Phillip Phan
Abbott and Costello will figure out who's on first before this fiasco can be situated.— Jiggs700- Why are we not talking about the other corner? Polanco's power numbers have gone down every year, and now he can't even get on base. Send Utley to third. He'll field better than Wigginton, and hit better than Polanco.— PhilsFanInNYC
- Galvis at 3rd? It's questionable if his bat is even servicable as a shortstop in the Majors. I like what he's done so far to an extent but you can't put a guy who projects as .240 hitter with 5-10 hrs a year as your 3rd baseman. I understand Polanco numbers are going to look like that but you need offensive production there - especially given the offensive shortcomings at other positions.— guyguy4
- I was thinking the same thing. I love these people who think you can trade for whoever you want, just because you want them. Why stop at Morrison? Why not Braun for left field? I'm sure the Brewers would love to get rid of him.— jermigio
- This was meant to be a response to Mark at 12:50 PM. — jermigio
- I like galvis but we should have kept valdez and let polonco go. Chase at first will be a problem long term because of howards contract. Leave galvis at 2nd and howard at first. Place chase on third if able if not chase has to go.— male
- The question needs to be: can Galvis play 3rd? If so, put Utley back at 2nd, keep the foursome at first as they are until Howard gets back and play Galvis at 3rd for Polly who becomes the super U guy: inagine a gold glove winner at 2 posistions as yur backup. Its not as if he's been hitting anyway— jeff gross
- Could Utley play first base?
Should the question be: Could Utley play?— PhightinPhil - The Phillies have about as much chance of getting Evan Longoria as I have of getting Eva Longoria.— dasher
- dasher, that is correct.....and also priceless! Good one. — Mark1npt
- I live in the Tampa area and draw the ire of fans down here with my Longoria to the Phillies dream because this area cannot support the Rays. But Longoria signed that below-market contract early on. Rats. Besides, the Rays need bats and though the Phillies have lots of offense...oh wait, never mind. In order to dream you need to be asleep. The mismanagement of Utley's injury is stunning and Manuel is remarkably overwhelmed with his ambiquous approach to the lineup. There's no plan.— TomO
- Tom, you certainly seem to be right, there is no plan...or the plan is...."just hold on til we get everybody back and we'll be ok!" Sorry, I don't think so. In the interim your gonna have 3 of your starting pitchers go down because they are working so hard to be perfect with every pitch. That takes a toll mentally and physicakky during the long baseball season. — Mark1npt
- Once Galvis learns third, all we need to do is teach him to pitch. Then he's our new 19th inning go-to guy.
— s - That's a great idea! After the season we can then trade him for a relief pitcher that can't make the team. Ohhhh... only if I was GM. — Jiggs700
- I would rather trade Chase if I could get decent value for him. He is American league bound.— tony bell
- People say that but who wants a DH who's lost his power? I think he's ours until his contract is up. No way anyone trades for him this year. But we'll get Cano straight up for Herndon. Book it.
That was for @jerimigio.— s - Prefer he focuses on getting healthy and not having to learn a new position. Put Galvis at 3rd. Has to be an improvement over Polanco.
— Steve Jeltz 
One thing that really sticks out in my mind is the lack of leadership on this team. Just seems like a collection of high priced players thrown together, all waiting to see what happens and who is going to take the leadership role first.
I believe this team misses Utley in that leader role, however it played out. Really thought Rollins would be the guy, but it sure is not showing results in the play of the team. So, Utley at First, Galvis at Second, Rollins at Short, Wigginton at third with Polanco the Super Sub/3rd baseman to spell Ty. This is just a dead team right now and it has nothing to do with advancing age. If this team continues to be dead in the water through to the end of May, changes have to be made. This is where I have trust in RAJ to get the job done.
What is nice here on this comments grouping is to see actual baseball discussion for once, instead of the tiresome sludge from the same tiresome dregs and Lords of the Keyboard.- Chase has played 25-30 major league games at 1B.
As some others have opined, I think Galvis could factor into next year's 3B decision but for him to learn it this year he'd have to go to the minors. Polanco will play out his contract, perhaps ceding some time to his replacement later in the year.
One ray of hope with Polanco. While we've known him to have hot Aprils I looked at his splits year by year and he had years where he had some awful months in either April or May and still ended up hitting around .300 (often more) for the year. Assuming he's not hiding an injury he may just need to find his swing.— s - The Phillies used to sign/call up players that had an upside. Now they have Polanco, Rollins, Howard, Wigginton, Nix, Thome (I excluded Utley because he's injured). All players going the opposite direction.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- The way this team's offense has (or hasn't) performed, ALL options should be on the table! Please get well and get back soon, Chase, Ryan.— doug1834
- Put Sam Young On Third. Just Kidding.— Darryl Cofield
- Here's the plan. Rubin, get a pen:
1) Howard's done for the year. Bring him back when they expand the roster
2) Put Utley at first.
3) Release Thome.
4) Get rid of Nix and Wigginton
5) Bring Brown up. Platoon him with Utley.
6) Start bringing up minor leaguers who look like they know which end of a bat to hold. Try them out for 2 weeks.
The year is done. The plan now is to build a core team that is at least watchable (this team right now is total cr*p) and start cutting deadwood.
Tell Chase he either retires at the end of the year, or you'll trade him to Baltimore for a pair of cleats. Tell Howard he's got a year to learn how to hit left hand pitching or you'll send him to the minors for the rest of his life.— fmMD - Sounds good to me. But then where does Howard go?— Norma
- A few things. Yeah, it really seems as though Galvis can't give the Phillies what Rollins can, which is why they re-signed Jimmy. {That is sarcasm, given that there is no appreciable difference in their offensive numbers. But there is a HUGE difference in the numbers on their paychecks.) Then, your main problem with this team is offense. So Gelb suggests removing the players at one position where you don't completely stink (1B trio) for a player of tremendous decline and now more uncertainly (Utley). If you think Utley can help you offensively, you keep him at 2B, move Galvis or Rollins to 3B, and Rollins/Galvis plays SS. What are you gaining offensively by inserting Utley over guys that are not the main problem on your team?— MrPhillie
- What does it matter when he hits a double he can barely run to 1st? He's not even an AL DH at this point. Buy out his contract and move on.— sonnybuoy01
- Utley can rehab 24 hrs a day and his knees will not heal. Knee replacement today are small operations anymore as people in their 80's have them. I had both knees replaced, but I can catch a baseball, but running and sliding days are over. Unless Howard has learned to hit breaking pitches he will not be a big help either. Why is his incision not healing?? Why is Amaro blowing Smoke???— tulsaphil
- What's a given is that you're a poor writer.— jlkndy
- if Utley can play at all he should play 3B with Palanco at 2B ....... Galvis is a nice utility infielder in the majors - a younger Wilson Valdez - nothing more— FrankMM
- Need all the help you can get! Don't worry come October...You'll be watching the Eagles in the basement as you Philthy fans are home on your couch!— MRD
- First base is a good idea IF he can still play anywhere.
He wasn't using his legs at the plate last year either.
Sad.
But he also should have been more communicative with the team so maybe they wouldn't be in this position— VicM - its a no brainer. He has to play first base. And hopefully he's not too dumb to know it. And if he objects, suspend him for refusing to play. Its time for Chase to get a dose of reality. His knees can't take the wear and tear of playing second base.— alak0926
- Thome will announce his retirement by Memorial Day. Book it.— NewMick314
- I love the Phillies and agree that this team has left a lot to be desired but before we blow up the team and tie the noose I think we need a little breather. Remember we're 18 games into 162. Let's try to give these guys some time to play some baseball and enjoy the best pitching staff ever assembled in Phillies history.— phis4life
- I can see from the picture that Utley knee is leaking oil. He's done.— bronski
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