Local sports polls show between 74 to 90 percent of the fans are against the Cubs trading for veteran second baseman Chase Utley.
Utley has had a series of injuries that have limited the former All-Star to replacement value level, at best.
Could the Cubs upgrade the Coghlan-Castro platoon at second base? Sure. Is Utley the answer? No.
A couple of points to make against Utley.
He was part of the veteran player core in Philadelphia who did not respect or play well for Ryne Sandberg. It was one of the reasons he resigned his managerial position. So the evidence shows Utley is not going to bring quality leadership to the Cubs. In fact the Cubs don't need a leadership boost; the young club has responded to both Maddon, and players like Ross, Rizzo Arrieta and Lester (by example).
Second, Utley is now a terrible player. He is only hitting .213. In 72 games, he has 5 HRs and 30 RBI and a negative 0.3 WAR.
Third, he has a no trade clause. He is demanding that any team that acquires him will start him. It is that type of selfish demand that immediately turns me off to a player. When teammate Jonathan Paplebon demanded the closer's role in a trade to the Nationals, the Nats complied and the team accelerated its tail spin out of the playoff race. It was a horrible disruption to the Nationals clubhouse and bullpen.
Utley is demanding full time playing status because he needs the at-bats to vest a $15 million option for 2016. Yes, it is a greedy proposition to put your bad playing time over that of a team on the verge of winning a rare playoff berth. But with the Phils, a bad team, that type of demand is moot. But with the Cubs, it could be a deadly anchor dragging the line up down.
Fourth, at 36 years old, Utley has no future with the Cubs. He does not fit any long term need. Besides the Cubs have other options in AAA (Alcantara and Baez) to play second.
There is no rational basis for the Cubs to consider adding Utley to the roster.
UPDATE: Utley and cash traded to the Dodgers for two minor leaguers.
