The Philadelphia Phillies have told potential suitors that Chase Utley is not available, and the team is trying to sign him to a contract extension, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
A possible contract extension for Utley was rumored to be in the works last week, but now the Phillies have provided a definitive answer for teams looking to acquire the second baseman. The Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers were rumored to be interested in Utley.
The 34-year-old has bounced back nicely after two seasons battling knee issues; he is hitting .274/.337/.498 with 13 homers and 36 RBI. Utley missed one month earlier in the year with an oblique injury.
Utley is in the final season of a seven-year, $85 million contract. Heyman suggests that the contract Carlos Beltran signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, a two-year, $26 million deal, is a good template for a potential Utley contract.
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