Here are some Red Sox-related items as we keep track of the latest news on Kevin Youkilis..
- Dodgers first baseman James Loney says that he isn't preoccupied with rumors of the club possibly acquiring Youkilis from the Red Sox, writes Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. The 28-year-old will be a free agent at the end of the year and said that he hopes to remain with the club.
- Even though Youkilis hadn’t been told anything about his future yesterday, he seemed resigned to the idea of leaving Boston, writes Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. However, the veteran wouldn't totally rule out the possibility that he may remain with the club beyond the deadline. "I’m still here," he said. "I’m not dead."
- Trading Youkilis to make room for the younger Will Middlebrooks only makes sense for the Red Sox, opines Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. The 23-year-old has a .331/.368/.592 slash line in 152 plate appearances this season.
It took a lot of words for you to tell us nothing…
Watch out Trout, you don’t have the AL rookie of the year award just yet.
Yeah, he pretty much does.
Eh, every year at midseason there’s usually a favorite in some award that ends up going to someone else due to sudden production drop or injury.
At this point it would probably require both for Middlebrooks to win. Also I wouldn’t count out Darvish if he can repeat his April performance a couple of times. At the moment, Trout looks to be as close to a lock as possible at the moment.
It’s not a 100% lock, but it’s probably 99%. Trout has the hype, and he’s playing at a level to support the hype (he’s playing at a level that could win you the MVP award). It would take something drastic for it to go to anyone else.
I gotta agree. trout is a game changer, in every aspect. That guy makes the opponent think twice whenever he steps to the plate. He runs as well as anyone in the game, can hit the ball with authority and isn’t bad in the field. The total package. Middlebrooks has holes in his swing and isn’t nearly as good this year at least.
Have seen Trout this season force an IF 2x make bad throws to 1b because Trout is so fast and hustles to the bag and I do not make a big point of watching their “late” games either.
Oh yes he does.
I saw “Red Sox” and “Loney”… don’t scare me like that.
Imagine how I feel as a Dodgers fan seeing him in the lineup every day.
Watch this youk talk be dragged out till the deadline.
So many Youk rumors and teams in on hi…amazing that none of the experts have identifies who would be coming back to the red sox in return. I could write the stories that these “pro withers” are coming up with. Figuring out which teams are in on him is easy….really interested in what is being asked for and what is being offered. how bout it?
I agree,tell us something we don’t know for a change.
Do you teach a guy like Middlebrooks to be more patient at the plate, or do you just let him keep swinging like he is for this year? Are they mutually exclusive or what. I know he’s young and more plate discipline will come with time, but I wonder what they’re going to do with him on that this year.
you don’t tell him to change much of anything when he’s driving the ball like he is right now
the problem is that as soon as he slows down, he’ll be in trouble. and the big leagues is not the best place to try to learn discipline
I know exactly what you’re saying. We (cubs fans) have had these same questions about Starlin Castro since he came up
Way to go, Nick! Quite insightful.
To those that have given the ROY to Trout, why so fast? I do not disagree that long term he will be better than Middlebrooks, however, he still needs to prove it. As of right now, Middlebrooks has about 70 less plate appearances and has more homers and RBI’s with a better OPS. Trout has him on stolen bases by a ton. BA is close, Trout has better obp 399-368 and Middlebrooks a better Slg 592-535. Just saying it is not cut and dry
it really is, though. trout plays a much more valuable position and plays it much better than middlebrooks plays third. on top of that, he has out-hit middlebrooks (166 wRC+ to 156) and has better walk-rate, K-rate, and LD-rate
Their triple slash lines looks similar enough, but Trout is also playing elite CF defense, walking, and stealing tons of bases. Plus, Trout has all the hype behind him, while Middlebrooks has flown under the radar (relatively speaking anyway).
I’m a Red Sox fan…trust me, it is clear cut. I had forgotten about Trout yesterday when I said out loud that Middlebrooks might be the Rookie of the Year. That’s how good Trout is. I forgot he was a rookie. At times he looks like a seasoned veteran. Unless something horrible happens, he’ll be the Rookie of the Year, possibly by a unanimous vote.
The only case I can think of for Middlebrooks is a look back to 2007: Delmon Young was “supposed” to win the Rookie of the year vote but instead it went to Boston’s Dustin Pedroia.
“Delmon Young was “supposed” to win the Rookie of the year vote”
LOL. He did win attitude of the year. It’s why TB gladly unloaded him that winter on the Twins in the Garza deal.
I didn’t say it was a strong case. I agree Trout will take it. I just decided to mention that particular piece of information, as it gives some legitimacy to Middlebrooks’ chances.
Oh I gotcha.. Was just mentioning Young and his attitude problems he had in TB, Minnesota, Detroit.. Why he has been moved from everywhere..
All great arguments, and I do not even disagree. Just that when everyone is so sure, things can change. We can all take the stat we like and roll it our way. Example Trout has 3.7 WAR, Middlebrooks .9, oops guess I can’t spin that one.
Lol which side of this discussion are you on? :P