LOS ANGELES_Corey Seager had a locker next to Chase Utley for the duration of the 2016 season. As he raced toward the National League rookie-of-the-year award, Seager leaned on Utley, a 14-year veteran, for advice.
Utley helped Seager develop a daily routine, and teamed with him in the middle of the Los Angeles Dodgers' infield.
But they might not be clubhouse neighbors again this year. The Dodgers appear set to move on from Utley as their regular second baseman. The team acquired Logan Forsythe from Tampa Bay earlier in the week, and plan to use him at second. The acquisition does not shut the door on a reunion with Utley, who is a free agent, but it does hurt the chances.
In discussing the Forsythe trade, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman heaped praise upon Utley, a left-handed hitter for a team in need of right-handed batters. Seager has kept in touch with Utley this winter, but acknowledged the reality.
"That hurts," Seager said at an event for the Dodgers community caravan at a mall in Canoga Park. "Chase helped me a lot. He really did. I can't thank him enough for what he did. Hopefully there's still a chance that he does come back. But I'm excited to meet Forsythe, and get to know him in spring training."
Seager said he was impressed with Forsythe when the Rays played the Dodgers last season.
"Hard-nosed, blue-collar, wasn't flashy, just got the job done," Seager said. "That's what we're looking to do this year. Hopefully he'll fit in nicely."
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