May 22, 2013

Kevin Youkilis Traded To White Sox

Well, that didn’t take long. One day after another public spat with manager Bobby Valentine, albeit fairly benign, the Boston Red Sox have traded Kevin Youkilis to the Chicago White Sox. Youkilis has been hampered by injury the past two seasons and his numbers had declined significantly. There was little room for him in the Red Sox plans with the emergence Will Middlebrooks at third, David Ortiz entrenched in the DH spot, and Adrian Gonzalez locked in at first base.

The Indians were once thought to be potential suitors for Youkilis if he were to go on the market, but those rumors faded and this weekend Ken Rosenthal was told that the Tribe was a “longshot” to land him. It was a rough weekend for the Tribe bats, scoring just two runs against two Houston left-handed starters. Youkilis was a potential target to fill the need for a right-handed bat, but certainly not an ideal option.

The White Sox seemed to have the inside track and they completed the deal before the weekend was out, sending right-hander Zach Stewart and utility man Brent Lillibridge to Boston.

[Related: What About Soriano To The Indians?]

MLB Trade Rumors: Indians A ‘Longshot’ To Land Kevin Youkilis

The Kevin Youkilis trade discussion has been a hot topic in major league baseball all season. Youkilis and new manager Bobby Valentine have butted heads since the precocious and outspoken skipper joined the Sox. He threw the veteran corner infielder under the bus in the first month of the season, questioning his dedication and whether or not he was mentally into the game. Youkilis and Valentine had another little contretemps this weekend, with each party communicating some passive-aggressive thoughts on Youk’s playing time through the press.

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington initially denied reports that Youkilis was on the trading block, but the situation continues to escalate and playing time continues to dwindle — so he’s being shopped around. The Indians have always been in the discussion as a potential trade partner, with the lineup still searching for that right-handed bat. But reports indicate that their AL Central rival, the Chicago White Sox, are ahead of everyone in the trade talks while the Indians remain a longshot. From Ken Rosenthal and John Morosi:

The Indians, Dodgers and Pirates were among the other clubs that showed interest in Youkilis, who has been benched for rookie third baseman Will Middlebrooks the last three games.

However, sources said late Saturday that the Indians were a “longshot,” the Dodgers’ recent talks with the Red Sox had been minimal and the Pirates had pulled out of the discussions.

[Related: Indians Showing Interest In Boston's Kevin Youkilis]

MLB Trade Rumors: Indians Showing Interest In Boston’s Kevin Youkilis

The Cleveland Indians are reportedly monitoring Kevin Youkilis during his minor league rehab stint. The veteran Red Sox first and third baseman is having a tumultuous injury-plagued season in Boston, and many suspect he will be put on the trading block as the Sox search for answers. Boston GM Ben Cherington recently stated that Youkilis will get his starting job back at third base as soon as he’s done rehabbing from “lower back discomfort.”

But Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reported that both the Tribe and Philadelphia Phillies are monitoring him:

Crasnick also reports that the Indians have not yet talked to Boston about Youkilis. As Indians fans are well-aware, the lineup could use a right handed bat. Youkilis is a right-handed hitter whose best days are likely behind him, but could improve with a change of scenery. He’s hitting .219 with 2 homers and 9 RBIs in 18 games this season.