Utley exploring possibility of move to third base
A few days ago, Chase Utley approached Ruben Amaro Jr. and asked the Phillies general manager whether he thought playing some third base in the future was realistic.
Utley exploring possibility of move to third base
David Murphy
A few days ago, Chase Utley approached Ruben Amaro Jr. and asked the Phillies general manager whether he thought playing some third base in the future was realistic.
Amaro's response? I don't know, which pretty much mirrors Utley's mindset on the matter. But both sides are open to exploring the possibility. In fact, Utley fielded groundballs today at third base and says he plans on doing it again.
"I thought it could be an option in the future," Utley said. "It's way too early to have an opinion either way on how it's going to go. But I'm going to take some more groundballs there in the future. But who knows what the future has in store."
There are several issues that could be addressed by a move to third. First and foremost is giving the Phillies an option to plug in at the position, which features no near-major-league-ready players in the system and few attractive options on the free agent market. If Utley were able to play third, it could allow the Phillies to pursue a second baseman, although the options there are slim (Blue Jays slugger Kelly Johnson, who has hit .221 with a .696 OPS over the last two seasons, is one potential free agent).
"I think if I'm able to play over there it could create some more flexibility as far as the organization is concerned," Utley said. "It may not. It's just something I wanted to give a try."
The other issue is Utley's knees, which cost him the first three months of this season and the first two months of last season. Third base requires less pivoting and therefore could theoretically be easier on his knees.
"I don't know," Utley said. "Today was the first time I took groundballs over there in 10 years. It seemed to go alright, but those are questions I really can't answer."
The big question is whether Utley has the arm to play third. That won't be answered anytime soon. But both sides seem interested in finding out.
Or.... Galvis could play 2nd.— mjc1- Kevin Frandsen is trying to take knife out of his back that Utley just plunged.
Utley has trouble making throws to 2B , they better put a screen protector near 1B stands.
Frandsen 3B Utley 2B is much better than Utley at 2B and Galvis/journeyman FA at 2B. This makes absolulely no sense.If anything put Utley in LF and trade for a 3B and put Frandsen on 2B.Unbelievable— argonne - If Polanco (2nd baseman most of his career) had the arm for 3rd, I would suggest Utley could make the throw. No need to turn two and pivot. He played 3B at UCLA, so its not foreign to him. I think it would be easier to replace a 2B than whats available at 3B on the free agent market. Frandsen can play 2B as can Galvis. Heck, Polanco could be moved to 2B as well. However, not at $6 million. There is also a pretty good prospect on the Pharm hitting .300 handling the 2B position. Finally, someone thinking out of the box. Oh, btw, if Luzinski could play LF and on a World Series team, I think Darin Ruf could handle it as well. John Mayberry Jr./Pierre could spell Ruf as did Lonnie Smith for the Bull. Time to make the pieces fit.— drhoffman
- It's very foreign to him...He played a touch of SS and DH at UCLA as a freshman, but over 80% of his games were at second...Tried 3B 10 years ago in Scranton (when Polly was the 2B), and he didn't like it...Admireable of him to workout there, but I'd cringe everytime he threw a ball across his body to second base,and doubt he could get away his occasional "yips" when throwing from deep third...His future should be at 1B or DH...This, and the "outside the box" thinking regarding Ruiz over at third similarly, tells us the Phillies know there's very little out there in FA, and that they'll piecemeal it until Asche (or Franco) is ready..Asche's Fall in Arizona will play a large role in the brass' thinking how far away he might be. — bearsfriend
- he's going to have to change his throwing style quite a bit to play third, but i like the idea, and that he suggested it. J-Roll, take notes.— RKinsella
- galvis should be traded. frandsen can play second, short and third with more power and less PEDS.
I think this is a move that should be considered, mentioned some months ago. More options at second to plug in. Of course, it matters if 26 can come out and play day one in 2013. but his declining (modest) range, make him a good candidate at the corner. aasche isn;t ready and who knows if he is even an option.— 24sDad - Guess you weren't following the minor league news last year when Frandsen got his 50-game suspension. — RickB
- You forgot about the arm, Murph. Also, 3B requires less activity. The 3B doesn't need to worry about running to back up 1B on every groundball no hit to you, the runner trying to break the DP, running to the OF to be the cut off man, covering 2B on steal attempts. (Runners rarely steal 3B). Yes, he has to be more aware of bunt attempts playing closer to the plate, and fielding the bunt but that's running straight forward. That's about it.— EL Zorro
- i like it, then Asche in 2013
also... 1 Fire Charlie,
2. send BastardO down, or somewhere
3. Call up Gillies to play CF for rest of season and save 15mill a year for low OBP, high strikeout, no power Bourn.
4. Sign Mike Adams in Nov.
5. Sign Josh Hamilton (need power badly, if can get 4 yr deal)
6. Let Asche try and make the team and keep Frandsen
7. Hire Sandberg, obviously, and also change enrire coaching staff.— WFChamps - I think I agree with all of that.
Add - Bring up Ruf as a RH bench bat and platoon with Howard.— zubzub - Platoon with Howard? Never happen. Ruin Tomorrow will NEVER admit that he may have made a mistake concerning Howard's ridiculous contract. If Ruf came close to out-performing Howard, that's exactly the position the smug boy would NEVER want to be placed in.
- Great that Utley offered the option. Too many stars want to stay where they're at. Couldn't trying. But yes, his arm will be the issue if there is one.— Barneyboy
- "The big question is whether Utley has the arm to play third."
Placido Polanco is not exactly Pedro Feliz at the hot corner. I think Chase's arm could handle it.
— PhightinPhil - Has he thought about Bullpen?— sillybilly
- ha! but this is utley we're talking about, not wilson valdez. now valdez was a solid closer. cant argue with a perfect record.
