The News Of …

Kevin Youkilis is changing his Sox. After weeks of speculation and a weekend that featured reporters offering round-the-clock updates on his status, the Red Sox have traded the 33-year-old three-time All-Star and about 5,5 million dollars in cash to the White Sox for 25-year-old righty reliever Zach Stewart and 28-year-old utilityman Brent Lillibridge. The move solves a pair of problems for Boston, opening up playing time for hot-hitting rookie Will Middlebrooks while removing the distraction created by a disgruntled veteran seemingly at odds with his manager in a media-saturated environment. Not to be overlooked is the impact on the White Sox, who have received such dismal production from their third basemen that even in less than mint condition, Youkilis may be an upgrade, and a player who benefits with a change of scenery.

Kevin Youkilis.

The nameplate above the corner locker at the far end of the Red Sox’ clubhouse was gone before the end of yesterday’s game.
And now, so is Kevin Youkilis.
A trade that had become inevitable over the past few weeks has turned into a reality. The Red Sox sent their hard-nosed corner infielder, one of the last links to the 2004 World Series champs, to the Chicago White Sox for utilityman Brent Lillibridge and Triple-A right-hander Zach Stewart. The Red Sox also agreed to pay $5,5 million of the nearly $7 million remaining on Youkilis’ contract.
The deal became apparent in the bottom of the seventh inning of the Red Sox’ 9-4 win over the Atlanta Braves when Youkilis was lifted for a pinch-runner, triggering a stirring Fenway Park farewell that included a curtain call and one more boisterous “Yoooooouk!”
“It’s an emotional time for everyone — for Kevin, for his teammates” – general manager Ben Cherington said a few hours later, after the White Sox concluded their game in Chicago and the trade became official. “Kevin has been here for a long time and has been a great player and played hard every inning he’s been out there.”
But everyone, including Youkilis, realized the time had come for a parting.
A three-time All-Star and former MVP candidate, Youkilis has been overrun by injuries in the past two seasons. Even since returning last month from a three-week stint on the disabled list, his production slid to the depths of a .233 batting average with only four homers, 14 RBI and an un-Youk-like .315 on-base percentage.
Youkilis also has clashed since April with manager Bobby Valentine. And given the rapid emergence of rookie Will Middlebrooks, Cherington spent the past few weeks listening to offers for Youkilis, knowing the 33-year-old’s value rarely had been lower.

For the past nine seasons, Red Sox fans have showered appreciation on Kevin Youkilis by bellowing out his nickname, “Youk.”
When the cheers died out after Sunday’s game, some said they were shocked, enraged, and heartbroken to learn the 33-year-old infielder had been traded to the Chicago White Sox. But others wholeheartedly welcomed the departure of No. 20.
“I love Kevin Youkilis. I thought he was a great player. He brought a lot to the team” – Gary Martins (28) of Swansea said inside the Cask ’n Flagon bar next to Fenway Park. “It’s sad to see him go.”
Martins and his wife had sat in the grandstands near first base Sunday and watched the hometown team defeat the Atlanta Braves, 9-4.
When they made a postgame stop at the bar afterward, they were surprised to learn from TV screens that they had witnessed the end of Youkilis’s career in Boston.
“I liked yelling ‘Youk’?” – said Martins’s wife, Alissa, 32. “I’ll definitely miss that.”
But others were happy to see the Red Sox cut ties with Youkilis. They said that they felt he was a problem in the clubhouse and that his production had waned lately.
“It’s all the pink hats standing up yelling Youk” – said Jay Martinage, 27, of Nashua, referring to the term some use to describe less devoted and knowledgeable fans.
His friend and fellow lifelong Sox fan Matt Grendal, 27, of Foxborough agreed and said he was embarrassed that fans gave Youkilis a standing ovation Sunday when he was replaced by a pinch runner.
“He hustles. He busts his butt. But he’s such a jerk” – Grendal said. “Him and (Josh) Beckett need to go.”
Paul Allen, 25, who lives in the North End, watched the game from seats near the third-base line Sunday.
“They needed to get rid of Youkilis” – he said. “There’s no room left for him now. They’re trying to do the best thing for the team. I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.”