It's unlikely, but door not closed on Chase Utley switching positions
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It's unlikely, but door not closed on Chase Utley switching positions
Matt Gelb
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.
Maybe he'll be ready just in time for the Interleague games, which he could DH. If he does well, maybe an AL team would consider him.— nascarpweb- No way Utley has higher OBP than Pierre. More power obviously and probably a significantly better arm. The real tragedy is that Pierre can't play any other positions. He finds a way to get hits and get on base. I'm for Utley's playing first base sometimes until RH comes back.— realzoe
- Utley career OBP .377, Pierre .346. The last full season, Utley .344, Pierre .326. The reason Pierre has been kicking around the league like a misfit is because he has no power and doesn't get on base enough to make up for it (and can't field). He's like a misfit toy. — jtj06
- The best answer is to IR Utley for the year and trade him to a team in the
AL and pick half of his salary for the remainder of his contract!— larryv - Agree with everybody who likes the look of Galvis at second. Great D, and he's getting better and better at the plate. To displace him for a wounded Utley would be silly. Utley fits nicely at first. Much less movement than at second, and no pivots or takeout slides. And if Utley can indeed hit, putting him at first would lessen whatever pressure the Phillies might feel to rush Howard back before he's ready.— Dave Clemens
- I was thinking play him at 1B until Howard returns but it looks like Howard could be back before Utley. Even if he's not, there won't be much of a gap. I'm not sure he has the arm for LF. But either position is definitely going to be easier on his knees than 2B. For everyone who wants to magically trade him to the AL to become a DH, first he has to show he can play. Second he has to show he has some power left. From what we saw last year I doubt the Al GM's were lining up to take tickets in the Chase Utley DH raffle.— s
- Well, we had a good run with 1 WS to show for it. All good things must come to an end. The core of the team is now being broken up one by one. I definitely think it is time to restock the farm. It doesn't mean they have to tank, it just means the Phils have to be willing to let someone like a Utley, Howard, Halladay go.— penncrow19
- What's wrong with playing him at 1st until Ryan Howard comes back? Charley, there can't be ANYbody who has watched a baseball game that thinks there is no difference on knee stress between those two positions - come on! When Howard comes back, move Utley to left field - platoon him with Mayberry.— dwp66
- What's wrong with playing him at 1st until Ryan Howard comes back? Charley, there can't be ANYbody who has watched a baseball game that thinks there is no difference on knee stress between those two positions - come on! When Howard comes back, move Utley to left field - platoon him with Mayberry.— dwp66
- It's a reasonable question but the answer is going have everything to do with team's general health at the time of Utley's return. Polanco is obviously playing hurt now. He's running pretty badly, even though it doesn't seem to be affecting his bat. Rollins has only missed 4 games or so, and that's not his history etc.
If and when Utley returns and Galvis is still playing reasonably well, you can expect to Freddie at shortstop occasionally, and generally filling in everywhere. It's been a long season already and it's not close to half over.— aintnorep
