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Cleveland Indians: 3 Reasons Why Adding Chase Utley Makes Perfect Sense

By Steven Kubitza

Sep 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley (26) runs toward home plate to score a run in the seventh inning of the game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 14-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley (26) runs toward home plate to score a run in the seventh inning of the game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 14-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (23) hits an RBI single during the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (23) hits an RBI single during the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

As mentioned in the opening, Michael Brantley remains the one question mark for the Indians heading into the 2017 season.

Signing Utley gives the Indians another talented player on the 25-man roster in case Brantley isn’t ready to go. And if he is, Utley can still serve as a talent off the bench.

Related Post: Indians show interest in Chase Utley

Given the deal is financially smart for the Indians, signing Utley almost makes too much sense. If a player needs to miss time due to an injury, the Indians would already have a veteran ready to step in, instead of having to find a free agent or rush a prospect into major league action.

Utley’s presence not only helps if Brantley is out, but rather if any player is out. He has predominantly been a second baseman for most of his career, but a player with his experience could certainly be tried out at other positions in the field.

Signing Utley still remains a bit of a longshot right now, but Indians fans should be excited about the opportunity. He provides extra depth for a team looking to return to the World Series, along with a veteran voice in a clubhouse that lost its leader.

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He would not be taking any playing time away from any of the established starters, yet would still help when certain guys need some rest in the midst of those mid-summer road trips.

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