The Los Angeles Dodgers singed Chase Utley to a one-year contract for $7 million.
The second baseman will turn 37 prior to the start of the 2016 season. Utley struggled all season between the Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. The six-time All-Star had a meager .212/.286/.343 with 8 HR and 39 RBI.
Howie Kendrick is currently a free agent. If he leaves Los Angeles and the Dodgers can’t find a replacement, the job might be Utley’s for the taken. Since his bat has dramatically fallen off, he would likely be a bench player as well as possibly a backup first baseman.
This will be Utley’s first full season not in Philly. He will have to serve a two-game suspension to start the season after his slide into second base, which broke the leg of New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada as well as helped the Dodgers win the postseason game. Utley appealed the suspension but ultimately lost.