The Man has been traded.
The Phillies on Wednesday traded Chase Utley, the most prolific offensive second baseman in franchise history and cornerstone of the 2008 World Series title team, to the Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder/outfielder Darnell Sweeney and right-handed pitcher John Richy.
In Los Angeles, Utley will rejoin longtime double-play mate Jimmy Rollins, who was traded to the Dodgers in December for two pitching prospects.
Utley is due over $4 million for the remainder of the 2015 season and another $2 million in the event of a buyout of his 2016 option. He has an $11 million club option for next season.
Bothered by an injured ankle until hitting the DL on June 22 and returning Aug. 7, the 36-year-old is hitting .217 with five home runs and 30 RBIs this season, his 13th in the majors. However, since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 7, he has gone 15 for 31 (.484) with five doubles, a homer and five RBIs.
The Phillies drafted Utley out of UCLA with the 15th overall pick in the 2000 MLB draft, and he made his major league debut on April 4, 2003. Utley is a six-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger award recipient. He led the Phillies to the 2008 World Series championship and two National League pennants.
Two quotes — one by him, one said about him — have become part of Phillies lore. After the 2008 championship parade arrived at Citizens Bank Park, Utley took the mic and hollered, “World f----- champions.”
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Two years earlier in Atlanta, Utley stunned the Braves by scoring from second on a groundout to the pitcher by Ryan Howard, causing the legendary Harry Kalas to exclaim, “Chase Utley, you are the man.”
Utley ranks in the top 10 in Phillies history in numerous offensive categories. He is fifth in doubles (346), sixth in home runs (233), seventh in RBIs (916) and ninth in hits (1,623). He hit .282 with a .366 on-base percentage in 1,551 games in red pinstripes.
