Dodgers acquire Chase Utley

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired second baseman Chase Utley from the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, the teams announced. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported earlier that a trade of Utley could come today. 

The Dodgers' acquisition of Utley is truly to help add infield depth during the final month-and-a-half during this season as they make a run towards the playoffs. With Howie Kendrick on the disabled list due to a hamstring ailment, they needed a second basemen for at least the short term. Utley can also play first base on an Adrian Gonzalez off day and could perhaps play third as well. 

A free agent at the end of the season, Utley was a prime August trade candidate due to his expensive contract and poor play. He was hitting for a horrid .532 OPS from the beginning of the season to June 22. He then promptly went on the disabled list himself with leg issues and since he's been back, he looks like his old self. 

In terms of his contract, Utley was owed $15 million this season. He had about $6 million in contracts left, including a $2 million buyout on a team option for 2016. According to Rosenthal, the Dodgers will receive $4 million from Philadelphia in order to pay Utley. 

In the deal, the Phillies received two minor leaguers, infielder and outfielder Darnell Sweeney and right-hander John Richy. Sweeney will be promoted to the big league club to fill Ultey's spot on the roster. He was rated as the Dodgers' 13th-best prospect, according to MLB.com. Richy was not listed in the Dodgers' Top 30. 

On the season, the 36-year-old Utley is hitting .217/.284/.333/.617 with five home runs and 30 RBIs in 282 plate appearances. Since coming back from the DL this month, he's 15-for-31 (.484) with one home run, five doubles, five RBIs, five runs scored, and a walk in eight games. 

--Devan Fink

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