Los Angeles Dodgers: Three players that could take Chase Utley’s job

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 31: Josh Reddick (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 31: Josh Reddick (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 22: Chase Utley (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 22: Chase Utley (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers /

The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed veteran second baseman Chase Utley to a two-year deal prior to Spring Training. However, Utley’s job may not be secure.

Chase Utley is one of the best second basemen of this generation and very well could end up in the Hall of Fame. Although Utley still has some work to do to strengthen his Cooperstown case, he will be an interesting name for voters when he does eventually hang it up and appear on his first Hall of Fame ballot.

Utley will likely hang it up following the 2019 season. The 39-year-old veteran signed a two-year extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to Spring Training. Utley is not getting a hefty payday, making just $1 million in each of the two seasons.

Some could argue that Utley’s production is not even worth $2 million. A shell of his former self, the veteran hit just .236 in 353 plate appearances last season. Serving a the primary platoon partner alongside Logan Forsythe, many fans understandably want more out of Utley.

However, what Utley fails to bring in terms of production he makes up for in veteran leadership. Utley is a great lockerroom presence and has a World Series already under his belt, something that likely played a big role in the Dodgers making it to the 2017 World Series.

If Utley continues to flounder, though, the Dodgers could look to buy out his deal and use him in a coaching role to maintain that locker room presence. While Forsythe being a free agent may save him this season, come 2019, the Dodgers may have Utley’s replacement already lined up.

Regardless, Utley is going to have to produce for LA off of the bench. If he doesn’t, here are there players that could take his job.