Utley says he wants to stay in Philly

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Chase Utley extended his right arm on Monday afternoon like a running back eluding a tackler. That is not how he would react, Utley said, if Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. approached him to discuss a trade.

"I would listen to him out of respect for him and the entire organization and kind of go from there," the second baseman said a day before Tuesday's first full-squad workout. "I want nothing more than to play for this organization for as long as I can."

Utley, the longest-tenured Philadelphia athlete, has full no-trade rights. He is the National League's longest-tenured player, replacing his former double-play partner Jimmy Rollins. Utley is entering his 13th season with the Phillies and does not appear to be in any rush to leave.

The 36-year-old will make $10 million this season and is under contract through 2018. Utley said he never has been approached about a trade, which likely would reward the Phillies with another team's key prospect.

"I would have to listen, but I don't think much will change," he said.

Utley spent the winter in San Francisco, where he makes his offseason home. Everything was going great, he said, until he sprained his right ankle by stepping on a baseball in January while fielding ground balls. It was not a pretty sight, Utley said.

He reported to spring training on Saturday and has taken batting and fielding practice. The ankle did not appear to limit him.

"I'm still kind of dealing with it right now. It's improved dramatically over the past two weeks, but it's still not perfect," Utley said. "Early in the camp, I'm still going to take care of it. Last thing I want to do is do too much on it."

Utley said his knees - which limited him in 2011 and 2012 - are fine.

"So far, so good," he said. "That's a positive. I've taken it kind of slow just as a precaution. But that's where we're at."

Utley played 155 games last season, his highest total since 2009. He earned his first all-star nod since 2010, but his output declined as the season went on. Utley hit .232 in the season's last two months, an 82-point drop from the first two months.

Manager Ryne Sandberg said he has talked with Utley about resting more this season. Amaro called him early in the offseason to talk about playing first base. A move there could be less taxing on Utley's legs. Utley does not expect to change positions.

"Is it a fact that I kind of wear down as the season wears on? Yeah, I'd say that's the case," Utley said. "I play the game fairly hard, and every game I'm spent. I do the best I can to recuperate for the next day. I feel like I've done a pretty good job at it, but a few more days off here and there probably wouldn't hurt."

@matt_breen