Confirming various reports, Giants general manager Bobby Evans told Chris Haft of MLB.com that the team has made a trade offer to the Phillies for six-time All-Star second baseman Chase Utley.
Utley has the ability to block any trade and there’s speculation that he wants assurances–either playing time or financial–from a prospective new team before agreeing to a move.
Utley hit just .179 in 65 games before going on the disabled list, but he’s shown some signs of life since returning last week by going 7-for-17 (.412) with three doubles in five games.
He’s owed about $4 million for the remainder of this season and Utley’s contract includes a $15 million option for 2016 that will fail to vest based on his limited playing time.
San Francisco second baseman Joe Panik is currently on the disabled list with a back injury, but it’s not expected to be season-ending and the assumption is that the Giants want Utley for a part-time role.
