The Zo Zone

Last week I asked loyal Zo Zone readers -- as opposed to you communists out there -- to submit questions to Chase Utley. Well, I combed through countless questions and picked 10 of the best. A few are baseball related. Most are not. And that's why I think you'll like the Q&A with Utley in today's Inquirer.

Listen to the audio here.

My personal favorite:

Question: There are two cages over a pit of lava and both are descending. In one cage there are blueprints for revolutionary emissions-free technology. In the other is Shane Victorino. You can only save one. Which one do you save? - Greg G., Washington, DC.
Answer: OK ... I'm going to have to save my centerfielder. I'm saving my centerfielder, yes. I have his back. Hopefully he'd do the same for me.

The look on Utley's face when I asked that question was priceless. If he thought I was crazy before, he certainly thinks so today. But give the guy credit, he rolled with the punches and answered the questions well.

I plan on picking a new player, coach, manager or front office official every week for you guys -- as long as I don't get blown off, which is always a possibility. So keep checking the blog for next week's Q&A participant/victim. And remember: e-mail me your questions with your first name, first initial to your last name and residence.

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The Phillies see Carlos Carrasco as a top of the rotation starter, but he remains a few years away. Phillies assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle explains why.

"He's matured every year, but I think he still has more maturing to go," Arbuckle said. "Both physically and mentally. I think he needs another full year at the minor-league level. At least. He can alter that timetable for us by what he does, but my gut is that he needs another full year. ... But I think he can be an upper part of the rotation guy. The stuff is there. Athleticism. Body strength. All the raw ingredients you look for are there. Realistically, I don't think you know if a guy can be a No. 1 or a No. 2 until he gets there. Because you get to see their mental make up then. But the stuff is there definitely to pitch up there.")

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The Phillies have sold 250,000 individual tickets already. They had sold 150,000 at this time last year. ... Lefthander Joe Savery, the team's first-round pick last year, will start Tuesday's exhibition against Florida State at Bright House Field. He will throw two innings. ... The Phillies signed righthander Kyle Kendrick, infielders Greg Dobbs and Brad Harman and outfielder T.J. Bohn to split contracts. Split contracts mean the player is paid one amount if they are on the 25-man roster, and a different number if they are in the minor leagues.

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Yankees To Play Exhibition Game Against The Media