MLB Hot Stove Rumors: The Dodgers are open to bringing back Chase Utley

It would be Utley's third season with the Dodgers

Earlier on Sunday, we discussed the Dodgers' reported interest in Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe. It's the latest in a line of rumors connecting the Dodgers to various second basemen (think the Tigers Ian Kinsler and the Twins Brian Dozier).

Yet apparently none of those murmurs -- smoke suggesting the real target is a bigger name -- mean the Dodgers have closed the door on bringing back Chase Utley for another spin around the sun:

Even as they search for 2B upgrades via trade, #Dodgers are telling people they remain "very open" to bringing back FA Chase Utley, 38 soon.

— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) November 21, 2016

Utley just completed his first full season in Los Angeles, hitting .252/.319/.396 with 14 home runs. Those are decent marks. His 95 OPS+ was a big improvement over his 2015 figure, but that he did so while making a career-low amount of contact and striking out at a career-high clip are worrisome tidbits. Ditto for the fact that he's going to turn 38 the week before Christmas.

The Dodgers presumably view Utley as more of a Plan C than anything -- someone who is familiar with the clubhouse and comfortable with a platoon-heavy role. If Farhan Zaidi's attempts at nabbing Kinsler, Dozier, or Forsythe fail, then Utley can return as the most-days starter. That's probably what the Dodgers mean by saying they're "very open" to a reunion.

What are the odds of it coming to that? Who knows. But the Dodgers are seemingly planting the seeds for a big move at the keystone, and it would be a disappointment -- and potentially a mistake, given the attrition risk involved -- if all they do is ink Utley to another one-year deal.