One waiver trade deadline deal every MLB team should make

Where oh where will Chase Utley land? The 36-year old second baseman has spent his entire career in the Phillies organization, but with the club rebuilding for the future and Utley reportedly having already cleared waivers, the left-handed hitter is probably going to wear another team’s uniform for the first time very soon.

There are several teams that could use Utley, despite his anemic 2015 stats that are partly the result of more than a month on the disabled list. The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Angels and San Francisco Giants could all use offensive production at second base and off the bench. The Chicago Cubs have also been mentioned as a possibility, but they already have too many middle infielders.

Also of note, Utley holds a no trade clause because he has ten years of Major League service time and at least five with the same team. But because he lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and hails from Long Beach, odds are he would accept a trade to one of the California clubs if his playing time expectations were met. 

Aside from Utley, the most likely player to move is veteran right-hander Aaron Harang. You can never have too much pitching, so a contender like the Pittsburgh Pirates may be willing to take a flier on the 37-year old as insurance for fifth starter J.A. Happ. Plus, moving Harang would give the Phillies a chance to audition younger starters.

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