After re-signing Chase Utley to respective one-year contracts after the 2015 and 2016 seasons, he was retained by the Los Angeles Dodgers last winter on a two-year deal. The change was largely attributed to the organization’s efforts to remain below the luxury tax threshold.
Though, that the Dodgers would commit to Utley for multiple years was hardly a surprise. Of course, it later became clear that the 2018 season would be Utley’s last as a player, as he announced in July his intention to retire.
Upon making his intentions known, the 37-year-old had appeared in just 57 games (30 starts) on the year.