UPDATE (Dec. 6, 1:15 p.m. PT): While the Los Angeles Dodgers’ need in the starting rotation has been the focal point, they also have a void at second base.
Howie Kendrick became a free agent once the 2015 season concluded, and Los Angeles has yet to acquire or name an internal option as the starter for 2016.
While Chase Utley isn’t viewed as the solution to that problem, he presents the Dodgers with some depth and flexibility given he’s able to play second and third base.
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Utley’s one-year contract is for an estimated $7 million:
Utley goes to dodgers. Believe to be for 1 year, about 7M guarantee
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 6, 2015
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a rough go of it in free agency thus far. Zack Greinke surprised them and agreed to a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Jeff Samardzjia agreed to sign with the San Francisco Giants.
Moreover, Darren O’Day reportedly eliminated the Dodgers from consideration and Ryan Madson agreed to a three-year, $22 million contract with the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.
That being said, it’s conceivable the Dodgers decided the price simply got too rich for them in the case of Madson and Samardzjia.
That’s believed to have been the case with Greinke, along with reservations over addding a sixth year to his contract.
Another free agent Los Angeles has continued to be linked to Chase Utley. Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi confirmed the club’s interest in re-signing Utley at Major League Baseball’s GM meetings back in November.
That now appears to have transpired, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports:
Sources: Chase Utley agrees to a one-year deal with the Dodgers. @Ken_Rosenthal said it was close.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 6, 2015
Los Angeles declined their $11 million club option on Utley for the 2016 season. His $2 million buyout was paid by the Philadelphia Phillies per terms of the August trade.
Utley waived his full no-trade clause to join the Dodgers. He hit .202/.291/.363 while playing second base and receiving some time at third over 34 games after the trade.
Utley, who turns 37 years old on Dec. 17, faces a two-game suspension for a hard slide into second base during Game 2 of the National League Division Series that broke New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada’s leg.
His appeal hearing may not be heard until Spring Training. The Dodgers were also said to be interested in utility man Ben Zobrist, but shifted their focus to Utley in recent days.
