February 18th, 2018 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Under the category of worst kept secrets, the Dodgers officially announced on Saturday morning what has been unofficially known for nearly a week – that 39-year-old veteran second baseman Chase Utley would be returning to the Dodgers.
“Early on I let the Dodgers know I’d like to continue to play, and staying in L.A. would be my first choice,” Utley told reporters on Saturday. “Probably not the best negotiation strategy, but at this point in my career I had to be honest with them.
“We’ve built a good relationship for the short time I’ve been around here,” he added. “I have a lot of trust in the guys in the front office and I think they do the same with me. I was grateful they allowed me to continue to work out [at Dodger Stadium] and now I’m here.”
Utley (third from right) spent much of the off-season working out with other Dodger players at Dodger Stadium.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
When pitchers and catchers reported to Camelback Ranch for spring training last Monday, most Dodgers position players were already in camp, even Utley … sort of. Although the 15-year major league veteran was not physically in camp yet, his locker – the very first one as you enter the clubhouse – already contained his equipment, including numerous unopened boxes addressed to him (a clue). The only thing missing was his nameplate above the locker, a sign that the official contract had not yet been finalized. But shortly after 8 a.m. local time on Saturday morning, word spread that the deal was done.
He’s baaaaack…
(Photo Credit – Jon SooHoo)
According to reports, Utley will receive $1 million per year for each of the next two seasons; an amount that kept the Dodgers safely under the Competitive Balance (luxury) Tax threshold that prevented them from (seriously) pursuing several top-name free agents this off-season.
But it’s Utley’s intrinsic value to the team and his veteran leadership that you simply cannot put a dollar value on that has been resonating through the Dodgers spring training clubhouse all week that shows how valuable he is to the team, especially for the younger players.
As for his role, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that it will be very similar to that of last season.
”Whether it be starting in certain spots or coming off the bench, whatever the role I know Chase has been there,” Roberts said. “Whatever is needed of him, I know he supports. To have Chase on your roster makes your team better.”
As noted, even though position players were not scheduled to report until Sunday morning, most have been in camp for at least a week and in some cases many weeks. As for Utley, the Pasadena, California native and former 2000 first round draft pick by the Philadelphia Phillies out of UCLA arrived on Saturday morning and worked out with the team.
Veteran second baseman Chase Utley and 2016 and 2017 NL Rookies of the Year Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger head back to the Dodgers clubhouse after Saturday’s workout at Camelback Ranch.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)
Welcome back, Silver Fox!
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I cannot think of a better person to have on the Dodgers bench and in the clubhouse.
You never have enough experience.
39 yr old Chase Utley, is a pro’s pro, and a good insurance policy, but he is 39 yrs old. Does anybody believe the two year contract is anything more than spreading his 2018 salary over two years?
I am having a hard time forgetting the zero for fifteen playoff batting line and him looking like he lost a step in the field. Perhaps he can fight off Father Time one more year, I have my doubts and was looking forward to seeing speedy Tim Locastro get a shot.
Chase Utley in a Dodger uniform for at least another 2 years, fantastic.
Glad to have him back. Spring training will show if he can cut it, and I hope he can. If he can’t I bet they’ll find a spot for him in the front office or on the field in a coaching capacity.
Now let’s find a way to sign Arrietta!!!
Dodgers will forfeit its 2nd and 5th round draft picks in the upcoming draft and a $1MM decrease in its 2018-19 International spending pool to sign any of the FA who received qualifying offers. Not to mention a guaranteed contract in excess of $100MM. I don’t see Dodgers signing any of the players with QO’s unless it happens after the June draft when the penalties no longer apply.
I agree, the front office will never sign any free-agents with QO’s for the reasons you state.
Signing Arrieta after the June draft won’t happen because he suffers from the same $100M problem Darvish did. There is one thing we can take to the bank this year, and that is, the Dodgers will NEVER go over the luxury tax threshold. Thankfully, Dodgers already have many, many, starting pitching options in house.