This just in: The Phillies have signed Chase Utley to a seven-year, $85 million contract extension that runs through the 2013 season. In essence, the deal buys away Utley's three arbitration years, plus four years of free agency, which figure to be his prime seasons of production. When the contract expires, the All-Star second baseman will be 35. Usually, Phillies GM Pat Gillick isn't a fan of such long-term contracts. But assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the Phillies were comfortable with this deal because they consider Utley to be "one of the top 10-15 players in the game."
So, what does this mean for the Phillies' other superstar, Ryan Howard?
Well, it would seem to bode well. Utley was entering his first round of arbitration, a salary stage Howard won't reach until this time next year, based on his service time in the majors. Once Howard becomes arbitration-eligible, and assuming he has another big offensive year, it's probably safe to assume the Phillies will discuss a multi-year deal with him.
But there's one thing to keep in mind: By signing this deal today, Utley probably forfeited some money in exchange for long-term security. If Utley had decided to go through the arbitration process for the next three years, then test the free-agent market, and if his production remained the same, he may have been able to make more than the average annual value of this contract ($12.14 million). Instead, he opted to guarantee himself security against injuries or a drop in production.
If Howard, his family and his new agent, Casey Close , want the Phillies to provide both security and top-dollar for each season he plays, they won't get it. Nobody does.
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