After trading for Chase Utley in August 2015, the Los Angeles Dodgers went on to re-sign him to a one-year deal that December. Utley had made a minimal impact on the field during the second half of the season, but Los Angeles valued his leadership and intangibles.
Although Utley was expected to fill a utility role off the bench, he wound up serving as the Dodgers’ everyday second baseman and primary leadoff hitter. The veteran fared well early, though eventually couldn’t withstand the rigors of playing on a daily basis.
The Dodgers nonetheless remained interested in re-signing Utley this offseason.