Win a World Series for the Philadelphia Phillies and they'll do their best to keep you in town for the remainder of your baseball life. To be safe, you must also be one of the best offensive second baseman of the last few decades and have a pretty sweet head of hair.

Chase Utley would have been a free agent this winter, but is now under contract for at least two more seasons. Utley, who turns 35 this December, will make $27 million over the next two years. If he remains healthy and on the field, the Phillies control three vesting options that could turn the new contract into a five-year deal worth as much as $75 million.

It seems like a long, expensive commitment for an aging infielder with bad knees, but the guaranteed portion of the contract is reasonable.

After averaging 100 games from 2010-12, Utley has shown this season that he can still be a productive fixture in the lineup. He is hitting .280/.342/.513 with 15 home runs and 44 RBI in 85 games. His .855 OPS is a five-year high and close to the .900+ OPS numbers he posted during his prime.

Age and health are the two words you will hear most often when discussing this contract. Utley was sidelined by a strained oblique earlier this season, the type of injury that tends to linger for older players (see: Jeter, Derek). Still, his numbers this season are very close to his career averages.

2013: .280/.342/.513

Career: .287/.374/.501

Utley isn't drawing as many walks, but is hitting for more power as a 34-year-old. He has already contributed 3.0 offensive WAR to the Phillies, more than he did in each of the last two full seasons. He has lost some defensive range and is far from an elite fielder, but remains serviceable. He is a perfect fit for the American League, where he could serve as a designated hitter, but a move to the outfield in Philadelphia isn't out of the question.

Grade for the Phillies: C+

There is an emotional attachment between Utley and the Phillies, which makes assessing deals like these even more complicated. At the beginning of the season he was expected to leave as a free agent given his diminished value, inability to stay healthy and Philadelphia's closing window. Four months later, Utley has hit himself into at least $27 million as the Phillies fade further out of the playoff picture in the National League.

At 52-62 and nearly 18 games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, Ruben Amaro, Jr. opened himself up to criticism by extending Utley's contract. How will a 35-year-old second baseman fit with a club that will need to undergo changes this winter?

The Phillies expected to contend in 2013, but Roy Halladay and Ryan Howard couldn't shake injuries and Cole Hamels (bad luck or not) hasn't been as effective after signing a $144 million contract. Amaro has held onto the team's title hopes with the tips of his fingers, but there is reason for at least a small amount of hope for next year.

Howard should be healthy and while Halladay remains a huge question mark, they can still anchor their starting rotation with Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. Domonic Brown has also finally emerged as an All-Star outfielder, giving a muted lineup some offensive firepower.

As one who appreciates sentiment, I ultimately like the deal for the Phillies, but it is a bit strange given their standing in the NL and doubts surrounding their immediate future. Who will manage the team in 2014? Will Jimmy Rollins be traded? Why weren't Michael Young or Jonathan Papelbon dealt last month?

What this extension does is give the Phillies ammunition against the argument that they aren't planning to win more games than they lose over the short term. Also, it will help keep fans coming to Citizens Bank Park to see their favorite player of this generation.

Grade for Utley: A

This is a great deal for Utley. Not only does he get to remain with the Phillies, something he desired, but the California native will also be paid handsomely for at least another two seasons. If he is able to stay on the field (no matter his effectiveness), he'll make even more money in 2016 and beyond.

Utley could have waited for free agency this winter, giving him the option to sign a contract with a team closer to contention (Los Angeles Dodgers, maybe New York Yankees) and flush with cash, but this was a no-brainer. He could go out and aggravate his chronically painful knees next week and lose all future value.

Ultimately, Amaro was able to convince Utley that the Phillies plan to win. That made the deal even sweeter for a man that has spent the last 13 years in the same organization.