MLB Trade Rumors: Chatter Surrounding Chase Utley and Danny Valencia

Major League Baseball's July 31 trade deadline came and went, with plenty of notable deals going down. The roster machinations are far from over, however, as teams have until the end of August to complete waiver-wire deals.

For contenders and also-rans alike, there could very well be much more trade activity on the way. Few (if any) of the deals will include marquee names or so much as wobble a franchise's foundations. However, a big name has already popped up in the rumor mill, and a fine offensive player could be on the move soon.

Here's a rundown of the early post-deadline chatter.

Chase Utley

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Cubs are reportedly interested in backing up their talented, young middle infield with one of the best players to man that area of the diamond this century: 

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The Cubs aren’t done looking for players to help down the stretch, and sources say one of the players they’ve discussed internally as a potential August waiver-period target is Phillies second baseman Chase Utley.

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That would have to involve cash going to the Cubs to offset the $5 million or so that would be left on Utley’s contract, a source confirmed. Either way, it looks like a long shot at this point, if only because of all the variables in play.

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Having been a dominant force in MLB during the late 2000s and early part of this decade, the Philadelphia Phillies are slowly moving on from many of the players who made them such consistent NL thorns and won the City of Brotherly Love a World Series in 2008.

Utley is currently making his way back from the disabled list, hoping to put his ankle injury and horrid offensive performance this season behind him.

Season	G	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	OPS+
2013	131	.284	18	69	.348	.475	126
2014	155	.270	11	78	.339	.407	110
2015	65	.179	4	25	.257	.275	49

Wittenmyer noted that a move to Chicago might be unlikely due to various factors, one of which might be Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin's plans for Utley, as noted by MLB.com's Todd Zolecki: 

It's a lost season in Philly, and Utley's play might improve after his long stint on the DL. He's spent his entire MLB career with the Phillies, and even seeing flickers of his best play would be a treat for fans. Leaving sentimentality aside for a moment, it's clear Philadelphia needs to rebuild, and it could try to finagle a prospect or two for Utley.

Wittenmyer noted how the Cubs might use Utley as a rental:

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An upside to his six weeks on the disabled list for any potential suitor is that the six-time All-Star isn’t likely to reach the 500 plate appearances required to trigger his vesting contract option for 2016 ($15 million).

An Utley move would obviously signal a middle-infield shuffle for the Cubs that could be coming regardless, if shortstop Starlin Castro continues to slump.

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At the very least, Utley could be an invaluable source of guidance and information for young Cubs second baseman Addison Russell. The Long Beach Poly alum could also serve as a calming veteran presence on a young, growing team hunting for a wild-card spot in the NL. And if his bat returned, it would be a bonus for Chicago.

Danny Valencia

Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

The Toronto Blue Jays and their high-flying offense are in a tight battle for a playoff spot in the crowded AL East. The team made significant additions at the July 31 deadline, adding the likes of David Price, Troy Tulowitzki and Ben Revere. With the influx of talent, it was no surprise that someone had to be bounced from the full clubhouse.

That player turned out to be 30-year-old Danny Valencia, whom SB Nation's Chris Cotillo reported is likely to be claimed by another team on trade waivers: 

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It came as a bit of a surprise when the Blue Jays designated Danny Valencia for assignment on Saturday, but it won't come as a surprise that teams are showing interest in adding him. According to a major-league source, the White Sox, Rangers and Orioles have emerged as three of the likeliest destinations for Valencia, who is expected to be claimed off trade waivers on Monday.

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Valencia himself was shocked by the decision:

Cotillo singled out the Chicago White Sox as having "significant interest in claiming him."

The fact that Valencia is likely to depart on trade waivers speaks to the potency of Toronto's offense. You know the move is significant and the player a good one if Larry King can't believe it: 

The Blue Jays are tops in the league in runs scored (561), on-base percentage (.332) and slugging percentage (.443) and third in home runs (139). So yes, they really can do without a left fielder/corner infielder boasting a .296/.331/.506 slash line, seven homers and 23 RBI in 58 appearances this season. Such is life in the Queen City.

Valencia would be no mere rental for an interested team. He's arbitration-eligible for the next two seasons, according to Spotrac, and thus might not make it to the White Sox in the waiver order. Valencia would make a fine utility option on a number of teams and could start on poorer ones.

Oakland's cunning GM Billy Beane might not have been in position to make big roster changes at the deadline like he did last year but could be tempted by Valencia's production.

The Athletics haven't received much production from left fielder Mark Canha, nor first baseman Ike Davis. The Orioles (53-51), with a record nearly identical to Toronto's (54-52), could try to poach Valencia and use him against his old team, although trade negotiations might be difficult between the two.

If Valencia does fall to the White Sox, they would be remiss if they didn't snatch him up. They have Jose Abreu at first and Melky Cabrera in first, but could slot in Valencia at third or use him to boost a light-hitting bench.