Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reports that the Angels have “been monitoring the rehab” of Chase Utley. Utley has been trying to come back from inflammation in his right ankle and may be back soon.
Utley has a $15 million vesting option this year if he reaches 500 plate appearances. As he only has 249 right now he is unlikely to reach that, which could turn him into a halfway decent rental player if he comes back from his injury with anything approaching his old abilities. Of course, Utley has full no-trade protection, so he’d have to be in on the idea of being a rental too, and in the past he’s shown no desire to do that.
Maybe, however, the chance to play on a winner would change his mind.