- Thread starter
- #1
cruzg24
It is what it is
- Joined
- May 18, 2008
- Messages
- 21,184
- Reaction score
- 209
ESPN MLB analyst Buster Olney joined Mut & Merloni Wednesday afternoon for his weekly discussion about the latest happenings in the Red Sox clubhouse, which included his thoughts on the team potentially shopping Kevin Youkilis.
Youkilis, who will begin his rehab stint Wednesday night for Triple-A Pawtucket, was placed on the disabled list early this month with a back strain. In his absence, Will Middlebrooks has stepped in and has played exceptionally well, hitting .300 with four home runs and 14 RBIs. Olney said that the Sox will look at possible trade situations for Youkilis as he makes his return.
“I’ve talked with a number of executives at other teams this week, because this looks like it’s headed down that path,” Olney said. “Unless there’s an injury to a David Ortiz or to an Adrian Gonzalez, eventually you’re going to have a situation when the Red Sox, who are presumably going to want to find a way to keep Middlebrooks in the big leagues, they’re going to have to figure out what to do with Youkilis.”
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.
“They think then, that’s when you can get a little something in return,” Olney said. “Not great, they’re not going to get a Grade A prospect, they’re probably not even going to get a Grade A-minus prospect because of the amount of money owed to him.
“But there’s clearly a lot of places where he could land. The Dodgers, I think are in an evaluation period now with their first baseman James Loney, because he’s gotten off to a terrible start. … I think the Chicago White Sox potentially are a fit for Youkilis as a third baseman, and potentially in his hometown of Cincinnati would be a great fit for him because they need a right-handed hitter who can play third base especially now that Scott Rolen’s career might be over.”
Source: WEEI.com