ESPN MLB Conversation

limofranky

As long as he gets on base somehow in the #2 spot and plays great defense, I really don't care what his BA is. He does add more experience to this team. Hudson will still be a good 2B or 3B backup along with Escobar.
329 Days ago

Philipchicagosportsfan

This was a much needed move and for once KW did not overpay! He has a habit of overpaying for talent and that's why the farm system needed an infusion of talent! Let's hope Youkilis finds his stoke and becomes a great asset on the southside! Go Sox!
330 Days ago

Whitesoxfanforlife

The Sox really didn't give up much. Lilibridge is a nice utility guy but he is replaceable and Stewart just isn't very good, the took a chance on Coop fixing him when they picked him up and it failed. Even if Youk keeps hitting at what he is right now, he is still an improvement and I expect that he is going to rebound in a new environment.
330 Days ago

South Side Samurai

Even if Youk doesn't prove to be a huge success (I think he will be an upgrade at the very least), I am mainly happy Zach Stewart is no longer a part of the White Sox organization.
330 Days ago

justjim33

Sorry but Youk is about as over-rated, over-hyped and over-blown as you can get, and as much as his leaving was because of skill deterioration, it was also time for the final curtain on the Youk Show. Absolutely the all-time worst Gold Glove 'winner' of all time. While he could make plays, he did not know how to play 1st (and not much better at 3rd) and was out of position more often than not, cutting in front of Pedroia or bull-rushing some poor pitcher, leaving no one at first - brutal. As for the hitting, the Greek God of Walks is just that, especially when you need a hit. Two outs and a man on, down a couple runs and Youk would always be looking for ball four so as to leave it up to the next guy...and no they weren't pitching around him. If he didn't get the walk then he would frequently strike out looking on a borderline 2-2 or 3-2 pitch leading to one of his patented tantrums. Good luck with all this...
330 Days ago

justjim33

Seems like I am spot on - youk in tip-top form. This is directly from the box score and I had the pleasure of watching it live when I happened to check in on the game! Alejandro De Aza singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. With Kevin Youkilis batting, wild pitch by Ivan Nova, Alejandro De Aza to 2nd. 2.Kevin Youkilis called out on strikes.
326 Days ago

soundsfun72

You are way off. Youk was not only a gold glover, he was one the best gold glove first basemen in years. He went an entire year without a single error. I believe he owns the major league record for longest streak without an error at first. As for offense, until a couple years ago, he was one of the top 5 all around offensive players in baseball for several years. There was a stretch of about 4 years where only two players in all of baseball had a better OPS than Youk. He's not this anymore, so sure he's nothing special now, but he was one of THE most underrated players in all of baseball for several years.
330 Days ago

SWIFTSLICK

If Youkilis was half the player he used to be, do you think the Red Sox would trade him? That team has a tendency to jettison garbage pretty quickly. Name a single player they've dropped from the last title winning roster that went to a better team.
330 Days ago

dbweiss9

Manny helped the Dodgers make the playoffs and reach the NLCS after being jettisoned by Boston.
330 Days ago

pivoed

And the Sox got Jason Bay (when he was very good) and others for Manny. They got a bag of balls for Youk. Youk is not Manny in any way shape or form
330 Days ago

peppers311

i'm not sure why Sox fans are down on this trade. i think it was a great move by Kenny Williams. it's obvious there was a hole at 3B with Morel/Hudson. Williams made a move to upgrade his team without giving up TOO much. Lillibride is a great UTL guy who just hit a funk this season. Hudson moves to the bench now, but gives Robin some flexibility in the infield now and can give Beckham some rest when needed. Zach Stewart was expendable. Axlerod will fill in nicely as the long-relief guy. here's my projected lineup: De Aza Beckham Dunn Konerko Rios Youk Pierzynski Viciedo A. Ramirez obviously you could move Rio/Youk/AJ around, but the way Rios is playing i would rather just keep him there. but i'm guessing Robin/KW will bat Youk 5th now since he's a high OBP guy and let Rios/AJ protect him. i'm pretty excited about the trade! Dr. Pain (Herm Schneider) can keep Youk healthy, he's probably one of the BEST medical guys in the game. all in all, this is going to be an exciting run for the White Sox. the move definitely makes me want to catch a game at the park again. so good job KW!
330 Days ago

parkernut21

I would guess the only ones that are down on this trade are the people that are down on everything in general. If he comes in and doesn't perform the worst that happens is they are stuck where they were before. No worse but I cannot see that happening
330 Days ago

Peter3375

I love the move by KW. We gave up nothing to get him. Hopefully Youk is still in good playing shape.
330 Days ago

oakbarrel

GREAT move. And gave up very little.
330 Days ago

synister281

This was a good trade for the White Sox. Maybe now their fans will start actually showing up and appreciating a 1st place team instead of sitting behind their computers bagging on Cubs fans?
330 Days ago

SWIFTSLICK

Just because the White Sox are winning that doesn't mean it's any less fun bagging on Cubs fans. In fact, it only makes Cub Fandom funnier.
330 Days ago

ElTouche

... you mean like a bored Cubs fan roaming White Sox articles as an excuse to rag on their fan base?
330 Days ago

BestofBoston2011

This was a great deal for the White Sox. Youk has a lot left in the tank if he stays healthy. In addition, he's a tough SOB, is a good hitter and can also play first. Boston will surely miss him. Good luck to Youk and the White Sox.
330 Days ago

Mrbiz8505

is he playing tonight?
330 Days ago

heatheraskew879564

1st place White Sox get a steal! - http://bit.ly/DEAL-OF-THE-SEASON
330 Days ago

gabriel9242

We welcome Youk :)
330 Days ago

Triplejayash

I love this trade and hopes it works out for the Sox and that the "issue" at third base is finally solved, but I'm just wondering and curious why the Sox never put Viciedo back at third? Yes i know he plays left field, but he was brought up as a third basemen and played there last year. Just a consideration the sox should have with people saying how Youk's back has been an issue, he can play DH or 1st, have Dunn play LF if needed, and Viciedo play some third. Just a consideration, but welcome to Chicago Youk!
331 Days ago

peppers311

Viciedo has looked MUCH better than Carlos (who?) Quentin ever looked playing LF. he's just fine where he's at playing in the OF.
330 Days ago

Amoc21

Unfortunately, Viciedo's defense at third was abysmal in the time he spent there. He doesn't have the reflexes or the range and his arm is to inaccurate to make the necessary throws. If he was any good there, the Sox would have already made the move instead of signing Hudson and playing him in a position he's never played before.
331 Days ago

mailman170

Okay the criticism about the production from 3b is fair, but saying Hudson isn't playing good defense just isn't fair. He's made some fantastic plays, show him a little respect. Here's to hoping Youk remembers where he put his hitting.
331 Days ago

Golong Godeep

His errors are usually glaring and happen on routine plays. Hudson's defense is costing them one loss per week so far in June. Meanwhile his hitting is utterly abysmal, especially in the clutch as in yesterday's bottom of the 9th. The best part of this trade is that Hudson goes to the bench.
330 Days ago

MrArmageddon546

He single handedly cost the Sox the game last Tuesday because of his so-called defense.
330 Days ago

gerberd85

He was a downgrade on defense and a wash on offense from Morel. At least Hudson gave us good at-bats most of the time though. Someting Morel hasn't done since September of last season.
330 Days ago

peppers311

very true. he also won some games for the Sox too. overall, he wasn't much of an upgrade from Morel, but he did give the Sox another left-handed bat in their lineup.
330 Days ago