Red Sox Trade Youkilis To White Sox
Monday, June 25, 2012
Kevin Youkilis has changed his Sox.
The former third baseman for the Boston Red Sox was traded Sunday to the Chicago White Sox for RHP Zach Stewart and utility man Brent Lillibridge. Boston also agreed to send cash to the White Sox which ESPNChicago.com reported to be $5.5 million.
The trade of Youkilis comes as no surprise to Red Sox fans. Rookie Will Middlebrooks has assumed the starting third base job for Boston while the oft-injured Youkilis has struggled this season.
Red Sox GM Ben Cherrington acknowledged that a trade was almost inevitable considering the circumstances. "I think we were trying to find a solution that worked for everyone," he said. "Kevin's been an everyday player since he's been here, and with the way Middlebrooks has been playing, Middlebrooks needs to be in the lineup. That's pretty clear."
The White Sox are in desperate need of a third baseman with Brent Morel dealing with back issues so this did appear to be a very good fit for Chicago.
While many have criticized Youkilis this season for his lack of productivity and his constant whining about balls and strikes with umpires, he did finish his Red Sox career on a high note.
Youkilis started at third base and hit 6th in the line-up against Atlanta Sunday at Fenway Park. He went 2 for 4 at the plate.
But there were also a few very special moments as well. Prior to his first at-bat in the 2nd inning, Youkilis received a standing ovation from the crowd which sensed that it very well may have been one of his last games in a Boston uniform.
In addition to that, Cherrington informed Bobby Valentine in the middle of the 7th inning that a trade was about to be consummated with Chicago for him. After he hit a triple in the bottom of the 7th, he was replaced by a pinch runner and received a long, heart-felt ovation from the Fenway faithful to which he blew a kiss. He also came out for a curtain call.
Whether or not Youkilis can ever be the same gritty and productive player he was for Boston earlier in his career remains to be seen. However, let’s not forget that he was a part of two World Championship teams for Boston in 2004 and 2007.
Red Sox Nation should wish him well.
NOTES:
-Youk will be returning to Fenway Park sooner than you think! The White Sox play a 4-game series in Boston beginning July 16th.
-The red-hot Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 9-4 Sunday to move a season-high 4 games above .500. Cody Ross hit 2 home runs (10, 11) while Adrian Gonzalez hit his 6th of the season. Aaron Cook, who was called up from Pawtucket to start for an ill Clay Buchholz, pitched 5 innings of 6-hit baseball for the win. Boston has won 9 of its last 11 games .
-Speaking of Clay Buchholz, he was placed on the 15-day DL after being hospitalized for an intestinal problem. The team said that he will require 10-14 days of rest to recover from intestinal bleeding.
-The Red Sox open up a 3-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Monday night. Felix Doubront will pitch the opener for Boston.
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