MLB Trade Rumors Update: LA Dodgers Get Chase Utley in Deal with Philadelphia Phillies
Chase Utley's Philadelphia Phillies career has ended. The second baseman was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to Bleacher Report and confirmed by Ken Rosenthal via Twitter. The move was made official by the MLB via MLB Roster Moves.
USA Today reports that the Phillies will receive a pair of mid-level prospects from the Dodgers. Los Angeles will also receive $2 million to offset the remainder of Utley's $15-million salary.
The two minor league prospects that the Dodgers are sending to the Phillies are Triple-A infielder Darnell Sweeney and Class-A right-hander John Richy, per a report from Associated Press.
Sweeney, 24, has hit .271 with nine home runs, 49 RBIs and 32 stolen bases this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He has been named in the Triple-A All-Star Game. CBS Sports' John Heyman tweeted that Sweeney can replace Utley in the Phillies lineup.
Sweeney can play second base, third base, center field and left field for the Triple-A OKC Dodgers. On the other hand, Richy is a 23-year-old pitcher with a 10-5 record and 4.20 ERA with the Rancho Cucamonga this season.
"The hardest part is leaving the city of Philadelphia. They've been so supportive of me for so long and I can't thank them enough," Utley said via Associated Press after a 7-4 win against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The 2008 World Series champion waived his no-trade clause and has cleared all waivers. Utley is from the Los Angeles area and the Dodgers are one of the favorites to win the World Series this season.
Utley will reunite with his former teammate, shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who was traded last offseason. Rollins, via Associated Press, expressed his excitement in playing with Utley again, "I think it would be a lot of fun. He knows this team. He went to school over at UCLA, plays well at Dodger Stadium.
"He does have experience, he's a tough guy. He brings that with him more than anything that there will be some new excitement in the clubhouse. He has a chance to play some meaningful baseball late in the year again," Rollins added.
The second baseman is batting .217 with five homers and 30 RBIs this season but has an eight-game hitting streak. He has batted .484 in the leadoff spot since coming off the disabled list from an ankle injury on Aug. 7.
According to MLB.com, the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and New York Yankees are all interested in Utley. As for the Dodgers, the bullpen now remains the only problem heading to the end of the season.
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