The end of an era.
On Wednesday night, the Phillies traded veteran second baseman Chase Utley and cash considerations to the Dodgers in exchange for infielder/outfielder Darnell Sweeney and right-handed pitcher John Richy. A cornerstone in one of the best eras in Phillies history, Utley will now reunite with longtime double-play partner Jimmy Rollins on the Dodgers. |
A six-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Utley finishes his Phillies career in the franchise's top 10 in hits, doubles, home runs and a slew of other categories, and is the Phillies' all-time leader in games played at second base with 1,453.
The 36-year-old, who is partially responsible for the franchise's revival and one of the greatest eras in Phillies history, hit .282 with an .847 OPS, 233 home runs, 346 doubles, 49 triples, 916 RBIs and 949 runs in 1,551 games as a member of the Phillies.
The trade of Utley continues the Phillies' rebuild for the future, as Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard are now the only remaining players from the 2008 World Series championship team.
The Phillies will also pay about $4 million of the remaining $6 million that Utley is owed, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.
In exchange, the Phillies receive infielder/outfielder Darnell Sweeney and right-handed pitcher John Richy.
The 24-year-old Sweeney, who has already been promoted to the Phillies to take Utley's spot on the roster, hit .271 with 30 doubles, nine home runs, 49 RBIs and 32 stolen bases in 116 games for the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in 2015. The switch-hitting Sweeney was also named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team this season.
The 23-year-old Richy has gone 10-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 22 games (18 starts) in high Single-A ball this season.
So now it is official. The Chase Utley era in Philadelphia has come to a close. It's OK to cry, right?
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
The 36-year-old, who is partially responsible for the franchise's revival and one of the greatest eras in Phillies history, hit .282 with an .847 OPS, 233 home runs, 346 doubles, 49 triples, 916 RBIs and 949 runs in 1,551 games as a member of the Phillies.
The trade of Utley continues the Phillies' rebuild for the future, as Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard are now the only remaining players from the 2008 World Series championship team.
The Phillies will also pay about $4 million of the remaining $6 million that Utley is owed, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.
In exchange, the Phillies receive infielder/outfielder Darnell Sweeney and right-handed pitcher John Richy.
The 24-year-old Sweeney, who has already been promoted to the Phillies to take Utley's spot on the roster, hit .271 with 30 doubles, nine home runs, 49 RBIs and 32 stolen bases in 116 games for the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in 2015. The switch-hitting Sweeney was also named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team this season.
The 23-year-old Richy has gone 10-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 22 games (18 starts) in high Single-A ball this season.
So now it is official. The Chase Utley era in Philadelphia has come to a close. It's OK to cry, right?
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat