Kyrptonite

Throughout his career, Phillies second basemen Chase Utley has played through a majority of his injuries, regardless of their magnitude. This off-season, Philadelphia fans are jogged by both his evident statistical decline in the last few seasons, and a knee injury that has him listed as "out indefinitely." As the 2011 season quickly approaches I can only look at Chase Utley, who at once seemed invincible, as a man who's days are numbered.

Chase Utley has yet to suit up for a Grapefruit League Spring Training game and ultimately has two options as he moves forward towards the 2011 season. One, he plays through an injury that has been classified as extremely serious and extremely painful, or two, he undergoes surgery that will sideline him for the entirety of the upcoming season. In the past two seasons Utley has failed to eclipse 100 rbi's and 175 hits, two major statistical consistencies throughout his career; and in 2010 only hit 16 home runs in 115 games. Utley's prime is rapidly slipping away from him, and to take surgery and miss what could be one of the last "good" years of his career, seems uncharacteristic of a guy who has been called baseball's biggest "gamer" by the likes of Peter Gammons, Buster Olney, and Tim Kurkjian. Despite the grave pain Utley could experience this season, his time is now, and deleting this year from his career, could just about end it.

JD