Giants reportedly make offer for Utley

The San Francisco Giants have made an offer for Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Columnist Bruce Jenkins posted the news on Twitter Thursday night, quoting Giants general manager Bobby Evans as saying he was "just waiting to hear" from the Phillies.

"He doubts a deal goes down tonight," Jenkins said.

Several teams have made offers for Utley, sources told MLB.com, but no deal is imminent.

The Giants expect all-star Joe Panik to return in the coming weeks from a back injury. They could acquire Utley as insurance contingent on the 24-year-old Panik's status, though.

The Giants (60-53) were 31/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West lead entering Thursday's games. Utley grew up in Long Beach, Calif., and lives in the Bay Area during the offseason.

Utley, 36, enters the series opener Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park with seven hits in 17 at-bats since returning last Friday from the disabled list. Three of those hits were doubles, and he has scored three runs and driven in three others. Utley also has run well on the base paths, showing no signs of the right-ankle injury that plagued him in the season's first half.

Full no-trade rights have long afforded Utley the chance to dictate his future. The Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels are also potential fits.

Utley has said since spring training he would listen if the Phillies approached him regarding a trade offer. According to an ESPN report Thursday, those close to the veteran indicate he will accept a trade only if he is assured playing time. For this reason the Cubs might be the best fit. They recently benched Starlin Castro, moved Addison Russell from second base to shortstop, and have used outfielder Chris Coghlan as their starter at second base this week.

Utley is still owed about $4.5 million of the $15 million he is set to make this season plus a $2 million buyout of his 2016 option. As they did in the trades of Cole Hamels, Jimmy Rollins, Jonathan Papelbon, and Marlon Byrd, the Phillies could subsidize part of Utley's salary to facilitate a deal.

Before landing on the disabled list on June 24, Utley hit a dismal .179 in 218 at-bats. His recent play has improved his average to .196. He enters this weekend's series as a career .355 hitter at Miller Park.