PHILADELPHIA — Chase Utley is staying in those red pinstripes.
Utley and the Phillies agreed to a contract that could keep the five-time All-Star second baseman in Philadelphia through at least the 2015 season, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday night. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract hasn't been finalized.
The deal reportedly is worth around $27 million over two seasons with multiple vesting options. Utley has battled knee injuries in the past, but that hasn't been a problem this year. He missed a month with an oblique injury.
"We'd like to keep the man in our pinstripes," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said last week.
Utley declined to specifically talk about the extension following the Phillies' 5-2 loss to Chicago on Wednesday night.
"I love Philadelphia," he said. "I've always envisioned playing here. I've never envisioned playing anywhere else."
Utley, who turns 35 on Dec. 17, would've been a free agent after the season. He's in the last year of an $85 million contract signed in January 2007.
Utley wasn't in the starting lineup against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night, but drove in the tying run with a pinch single in the seventh inning. Utley then knocked over catcher Dioner Navarro in a violent collision trying to score from second base on a single. Navarro held onto the ball and Utley was out. Navarro was carted off the field with a left leg injury.
