Levine: With Utley Out Of Picture, Cubs Still Looking To Add Talent

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The news out of Philadelphia is that Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will be staying put the rest of the season.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in an interview with Sportsradio 94WIP that the likelihood of Utley being moved in a waiver deal was remote.

That leads us back to the North Side of Chicago, where the Cubs front office was waiting patiently for word on the direction Utley was going with his no-trade control of his contract. The Cubs were one of three clubs looking to add Utley, who's in the last year of a long-term deal.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon assumes he will continue to be looking at the players he has in his organization and on the 25-man roster as his team charges into the final six weeks of the playoff race. Chicago currently holds the second NL wild-card spot.

"We have some really nice pieces," Maddon said. "Regarding Chase Utley, I know that has been talked about a lot. I am just anticipating playing with the guys that are here. I really like what we are doing. Don't just look at stuff outside. We have stuff inside.

"Tommy (LaStella in minors) is starting to swing the bat pretty good right now. I don't know how well Javy (Baez in the minors) is swinging the bat, but I know how good he plays defense. He is a really good baseball player. I kind of like that (promoting) from within thing, and I am used to that this time of year."

The front office is still seeking some veteran help, both off the bench and on the pitching staff.

"Both Tommy and Javy are playing well " Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said.

"We said it all year that our depth is improving. Everyone's depth improves on Sept. 1 (when teams call players from the minor league). Our depth has been a nice thing and improved just by getting our guys healthy."

Hoyer said the club is still trying to add veterans before Sept. 1, when playoff rosters are frozen.

"I do think we might," Hoyer said about making a deal or two. "We have things internally, but I wouldn't rule out going outside."

A player like former Cubs and White Sox utilityman Emilio Bonifacio could be a quality fit for Chicago. Bonifacio plays six positions and can steal a base off of the bench. He's a solid clubhouse man who was designated for assignment over the weekend by the White Sox.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.