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In Defense of Kevin Youkilis

by Matthew Kline on June 27, 2012

    First off, congratulations to the Chicago White Sox for managing to grab Kevin Youkilis for literally one penny on the dollar.  They made their move at exactly the right moment in time, and were apparently the only team willing to offer a major-league player in exchange for Youkilis’ services.  Word on the talk radio circuit out of Boston is that the next best offers were for a middling prospect at best.  As much as I would love to kill Sox GM Ben Cherinton for this deal, it likely was the best he was going to get in the moment, and unfortunately, keeping Youkilis around would become a detriment not only to the Sox, but to Youkilis himself.  With the emergence of Will Middlebrooks combined with the smörgåsbord return of outfielders that the Red Sox are undergoing, there just wasn’t a way for Bobby V. to get everyone on the field.  Plus, too much thinking for Bobby V. could only lead to bad results on the field for the Sox.  Something had to happen.

    So Youkilis got Wally Pipped.  It was so predictable, I had actually posted this on Twitter last month:

    Tbone Kline ‏@Tbone44444444

    Kevin Youkilis is gonna get Wally Pipped.

    10:54 PM – 7 May 12
    Middlebrooks has only improved as the weeks have gone by, culminating with his selection as the American League Player of the Week for the week ending June 24th.  His line for the week might have made Babe Ruth jealous:  a 1.375 OPS, .625 BA, 3 doubles, 3 HRs, 6 runs, and 10 RBIs.  That kind of performance needs to be given an opportunity to play everyday, even if it comes at the expense of one of the great players in recent Red Sox history.For those who are unaware, Youkilis was rated #35 on Sporting News’ 50 greatest current players in baseball in 2011.  He checked in at #38 in 2010, and at #36 in 2009.  From 2008 – 2010, his OPS was second-best in the big leagues to some guy named Albert Pujols (who checked in at #1 from 2009-11 on Sporting News’ list.)  He plays Gold Glove-caliber defense at 1B and 3B (the shame of the matter is he only owns one Gold Glove, which he won in 2007.)  He was a member of the 2004 and 2007 World Series championship teams.  He played with reckless abandon, and endeared himself to the fans with his efforts.

    True enough, the Youkilis that fans had become accustomed to through the 2010 season had yet to make an appearance in 2012, but in large part that had to do with injuries.  It also had a lot to do with Bobby V., who earlier this year called in to question Youkilis’ heart when he said that he didn’t think that Youkilis was “as physically or emotionally into the game” as he had been in the past.  It was truly one of the dumbest statements ever made by a manager, and Youk’s teammates immediately defended him.  Having watched him his entire career, I would emphatically state that along with Dustin Pedroia, they are the two guys who never give in.  As evidence to this, consider his words regarding his infamous fight with Manny Ramirez in 2008.  He said ‘it was different for Manny, every game wasn’t life or death for him.’  As a fan, I want the guy who treats every game like it’s life or death, and damn the consequences.  The fact that his teammates are so willing to defend him says all that I need to know about him as a player.

    Will Youkilis return to his 2008-10 form?  Probably not, but that doesn’t mean that he won’t pick up the rest of the season.  Even with his struggles in 2011-12, he still boasts a career .875 OPS (tied for 99th best all-time.)  He is still only 33 years old.  He has a contract to play for, whether it be the White Sox exercising their $13 million option for 2013, or a new multi-year deal someplace else.  He has pride, and will want to prove that the Red Sox made a mistake in dealing him.  As he has done throughout his career, I fully expect Youkilis to deliver, and help the White Sox to the A.L. Central Title.

    Think Youk’s washed up?  Did the Sox get hosed?  Let me know what you think:

    tbone.kline@gmail.com, @tbone44444444

    And don’t forget to like More Than A Fan on facebook, and follow More Than a Fan on Twitter @MTAFSports

      Matthew Kline (141 Posts)

      Growing up a Red Sox fan, life was never as easy as it could have been. Of course, that all changed after The Steal. I have previously contributed to The Valley Advocate, and currently co-host a weekly sports talk show with MTAF's own Mike Pellegrino on Wednesday evenings from 6-8. Listen in at www.ustream.tv/channel/wcch-103-5


      Tagged as: Kevin Youkilis, MLB, Red Sox

      • Pete Maserati

        I think Youk did get a little bit hosed on this one. Once Bobby V. set forth the question of his passion for the game of baseball, he was as good as gone. Bobby V’s ego won’t allow him to fully admit that he might have been wrong and I don’t think Youk really wanted to play for someone who was so blind as to how much effort he’s put in over the span of his entire career. Youk is cut from the same cloth as Peddy or even Trot Nixon – gritty and hard nosed players all. You’d be very pressed to find any evidence of slacking with any of those players and now that Youk has ammunition with which to carry into Chicago, I feel he’ll pick that effort up another notch. It’s another nod to the impact of Terry Francona’s exit from the Red Sox…you wonder if Tito was still here, would Youk be wearing a different color Sox jersey?

        • MattKline

          100% agree, and you’ve been proven correct since Youk has been in Chicago. He’s going to murder the Red Sox every time he plays them, too, without a doubt. I think he is definitely still in Boston if Tito was managing, which kills me to say, but he never, ever would have questioned Youk, especially not publicly. If needed, he might have had a word in private, but that’s it. Bobby V. is killing me, and the Sox, and Red Sox Nation. May his tenure be a short one.

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