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Related: About this forumAre the Red Sox going to Trade Youkilis?
Buster Olney on WEEI radio this morning and, based on his conversations with some anonymous executives, he thinks the Red Sox and Kevin Youkilis will part ways this summer:
Ive talked with a number of executives at other teams this week, because this looks like its headed down that path.
Olney said that other general managers have told him that Youkilis is going to have to put about three productive and healthy weeks together in order for them to gauge his trade value.
Obviously Will Middlebrooks nice place since his callup is goosing this along. Ive not been paying too close attention to how Middlebrooks is perceived locally, but I get the sense that theres some college football backup quarterback stuff going on there, where hes seen as a savior while the old guy is taken for granted.
My question: if the Sox do start seriously shopping Youkilis, do the press and fans perceive it as a white flag waving on the 2012 season, or do they view it as making way for Middlebrooks?
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/05/16/olney-the-red-sox-are-headed-down-that-path-to-trade-kevin-youkilis/related/
Can't say I've been paying much attention to how he's playing this year since 2012 is turning into a disaster, but past years he's bene injured more than he's been playing...maybe he isn't focused, like Valentine said on the radio which caused a kerfuffle.
sadbear
(4,340 posts)Sox will have to eat a very large chunk of that to unload him.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)If he's going to be hit or miss all year long...no reason for him not to be ridiculously dominant every time he pitches...no reason except he doesn't give a shit.
That said, too big chubks the Sox will have to eat.
Auggie
(31,173 posts)needs an infielder. One that comes to mind (don't laugh) is Cleveland. Red Sox would have to eat a huge chunk of salary, of course. And Cleveland would have to give up a lot in prospects. But it would be a huge improvement for Cleveland at first base, provided Youkilis is healthy and finds his swing.
Cleveland, as a small market, has to compete cyclically. They've been building for 2012 since trading away C.C. Sabathia in 2008. It's all or nothing.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)When he stunk in Game 5!!!
imagine trading away a defending Cy Young winner. Not once, but two years in a row (Cliff Lee).
I don't know if he choked or was mis-manged by Eric Wedge. Likely both.
bluedigger
(17,086 posts)I like Youk a lot, but he just isn't destined for a long career. He's breaking down constantly, and it's painful to watch, kind of like when Bird went into decline on a lesser scale. Middlebrook is ready now.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)The Sox want to trade him because he's missed large chunks of the last three seasons. If the Sox could be sure they'd get him back healthy as a reliable player, they'd never trade him. The Sox are already planning to be "sellers" come the trade deadline, so that's discouraging for Red Sox fans.
charlie and algernon
(13,447 posts)too bad the Red Sox aren't stupid enough to trade him within their division.