MLB Rumors: Chase Utley unlikely to approve trade out of Philadelphia?

Why wouldn’t Chase Utley want to be traded? It’s easy for any of us to see, after all. The Philadelphia Phillies aren’t going to contend this season and he could be a prized acquisition for a potential playoff team. For those of us on the outside looking in, that seems like a simple decision for a veteran player who has full no-trade rights.

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What that does not account for, however, is the distinct perspective Utley has on the situation as his own person. And if he is perfectly comfortable in Philadelphia, why should he agree to leave?

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports provides exactly that context, noting that the Phillies might have a hard time finding a deal that Utley would approve:

"Second baseman Chase Utley, after telling club officials last July that he did not want to be traded, signed a two-year extension with three club options. Now, less than a year later, he’s going to reverse a course, waive his 10-and-5 rights and approve a deal?Don’t count on it."

If the Phillies do decide to try and capitalize on their position as sellers, something they are reportedly preparing for, it will be interesting to see how much they try to push Utley into a deal. There are teams with huge needs in the infield and especially at second base. Such as things go, dealing Utley might be as good a chance as any for the Phillies to get a haul in return for one of their high-priced veterans.

That will be all be moot, however, if Utley won’t sign off on a deal, something that sounds more and more like a possibility.