Chicago Cubs talked with veteran Chase Utley this offseason

According to reports, the Chicago Cubs and Chase Utley discussed a pinch-hitting role this offseason, although talks never got serious.

Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein has a history of bringing in strong veterans. Some of those veterans include David Ross, John Lackey, Jon Lester and Shane Victorino.

Granted, each of these players fit very different roles. Lester and Lackey have been staples in the rotation, while Victorino never saw big-league action. Ross evolved from a backup catcher to a clubhouse leader.

Now, according to Ken Rosenthal, they at least kicked the tires on another familiar name: Chase Utley.

Regardless of whether or not the talks progressed, the fact Chicago talked with Utley is interesting. While veterans are a key part of contending teams, Utley is an odd fit.

Chicago Cubs

On any given day, Chicago trots out a combination of Javier Baez, Ben Zobrist and Addison Russell up the middle. Kyle Schwarber returns in a full-time role, as well, clogging the outfield vacancies.

So, why go after Utley?

The former perennial MVP contender has tailed off quite a bit in his late 30s. Last season, he batted .252/.319/.396, still respectable numbers – but a far cry from his heyday.

A 64.4 career WAR player, Utley won the World Series with the Phillies in 2008. A title was the finishing touch on a 33-homer, 104 RBI campaign that culminated in a Silver Slugger Award for Utley.

Per Rosenthal, a limited bench role was all Chicago discussed with the former All-Star. That makes a degree of sense, as Joe Maddon likes to mix-and-match late in the game. However, that would likely spell the end of Tommy LaStella on the North Side of Chicago.

Depth is hardly a concern for the Cubs entering the first weekend of Spring Training action. Chicago is at least six deep in the outfield and have innumerable ways to line up defensively, as well. That’s due largely in-part to the versatility of players like Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Ben Zobrist – all of whom play multiple positions.

Next: MLB approves changes to the intentional walk

In the end, Utley inked a $2 million deal with incentives to stay in Los Angeles. All told, he’ll see more at-bats there as the Dodgers seek to win their first title since 1988.