MLB Trade Rumors: Why Kevin Youkilis Is the Answer to Phillies’ Offensive Woes

The Boston Red Sox don’t need Kevin Youkilis anymore.

That sounds harsh. Cruel even. But… have you seen this Will Middlebrooks kid?

The Sox called up Middlebrooks to take Youkilis’ spot when they placed him on the disabled list earlier this month. In 11 games, Middlebrooks is hitting .304 with four home runs and 13 RBI. To put that in perspective, Middlebrooks has more RBI in 11 games than Albert Pujols has in 35.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington has said (via The Boston Globe) that Youkilis is going to be back at third base as soon as he comes off the DL, and that day is fast approaching. However, it’s fair to say that the Red Sox will be downgrading when they go from Middlebrooks back to Youkilis.

One thing Boston can do to make everyone happy is trade Youkilis, thus providing him with a change of scenery and opening up an opportunity for Middlebrooks to play every day at the hot corner for (hopefully) a long time.

It’s a legit possibility. Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reported recently that there is going to be a “strong” trade market for Youkilis if he can show he’s healthy after he comes back. Among the teams that are actively looking are the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies.

David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News likes the idea of the Phillies acquiring Youkilis. As long as he can be had “on the cheap,” of course.

Players that can be had on the cheap are the only players the Phillies can target, as their farm system has been stripped of a lot of talent in recent years thanks to high-profile trades. They don’t have the assets to pull off another Cliff Lee or Hunter Pence-esque trade.

Youkilis doesn’t have a whole lot of trade value right now, and his recent issues with injuries and simple ineffectiveness will make sure his value stays relatively low. As long as they aren’t asked to pick up the bulk of Youkilis’ remaining salary, the Red Sox probably will take what they can get for him, especially if that involves a pitcher or two.

The Phillies would be rolling the dice if they decided to execute a trade for Youkilis. But if there’s a team in the National League that needs to roll the dice, it’s them. They have the pitching to make a deep postseason run, but not the offense. Just like last year, they need a hitter.

Preferably a right-handed hitter with power who can play either corner infield spot. The Phillies aren’t going to get much offense from the first base spot in their lineup until Ryan Howard comes back, and Placido Polanco is only going to provide singles from the third base spot.

This is where Youkilis’ comes in. He could fill in at first base until Howard comes back, and he could slide over to third after Howard returns. Regardless of where he’s playing on the infield, his right-handed bat would fit well in the middle of Philly’s lineup, and he would also be a good fit in Citizens Bank Park.

Youkilis has a .171 average in 13 career games at Philly’s ballpark. He does, however, have three home runs in those 13 games. That’s not a huge surprise seeing as how his primary power alley is to left field, and the left field wall at Citizens Bank Park isn’t too far out there.

No, a trade to Philly would not make Youkilis’ fragility go away, and the Phillies would indeed be banking on the change of scenery energizing him.

They wouldn’t have to worry about the second part. Youkilis has calmed down some in the last couple years, but he’s a guy with a tendency to play the game with a chip on his shoulder. If the Sox trade him so they can play a rookie, Youkilis is going to have a huge chip on his shoulder. He would be out to prove, for both financial reasons and for pride’s sake, that he’s not washed up.

If the Phillies trade for Youkilis in the near future, their offense will be getting an upgrade, potentially a major one. Once Chase Utley and Ryan Howard return, the middle of Philly’s lineup would feature the likes of Utley, Howard, Youkilis and Pence. Two powerful lefties, and two powerful righties.

That’s not a bad foursome. Surely a lineup featuring a core like that night after night would be able to provide support for Philly’s starting pitching.

It will be interesting to see what happens in Philadelphia this year, as it’s pretty clear that Philly’s championship window is closing. But as long as they have their killer starting rotation, there is hope for them. All they have to do is make a deal to keep their championship window propped open.

It’s bound to happen. If Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. has taught us anything in recent years, it’s that he’s not afraid to wheel and deal for the sake of winning now.

If he determines Youkilis is the best he can do, he’ll do it. 

 

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