Our next 3B?

[Dojji]

Will Middlebrooks is having a pretty solid year in Portland, hitting .298/.344/.481 with 8 homers. At 22 he's nice and young, and he could be in range to replace Youkilis if his health deteriorates over the next couple years and he has to DH.

 

Very nice to see him put it together.

[jacksonianmarch]

I doubt Youk will be in need of full time DH duties any time soon. He's got a serviceable glove at 3b and his bat carries better than what this kid is going in AA in a down yr. Youk is under contract through 2012 with a very reasonable option for 2013. My guess is this kid gets to AAA next yr and becomes trade bait. Or they hold onto him through 2013 and see what happens. He just doesnt seem to fit the Sox MO of the patient hitter, especially at a corner, but I like his tools. I do think he's a 20HR guy in the bigs at some point, but not sure he can carry the .800+OPS without a major improvement in patience

[Dojji]

Middlebrooks killing the balll. Hitting over .400 over his last 10 games. Apparently his defense is improving as well.

 

A good third baseman has been very hard to find in this league for awhile now. Very glad that Middlebrooks is rounding into form. Maybe in a year and a half or so he'll be ready to go in earnest.

[AtWork]

Youk's defense has been surprisingly bad at 3B for a guy who has historically played very well defensively at that position. I won't commit to more than 2 years for any DH. If Youkilis continues to play like he has this year at third, I'd be all for moving him to DH.

[Dojji]

It's more traditional to move third basemen who can't hack it at their position to corner outfield rather than DH.

 

Hmm. Weren't we saying we needed a RHH corner OF?

[mvp 78]

Youk refuses to play OF. Remember the LF debacle?

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

At Yankee Stadium? Yuck.

[Flynnatic10]

David Wright.

[AtWork]

It's more traditional to move third basemen who can't hack it at their position to corner outfield rather than DH.

 

Hmm. Weren't we saying we needed a RHH corner OF?

 

If Youk's having trouble covering ground at 3B right now why would we move him to the outfield?

[Dojji]

Youk refuses to play OF. Remember the LF debacle?

 

Well if he's going to suck at his position he loses the right to argue.

[mvp 78]

Well if he's going to suck at his position he loses the right to argue.

 

Tito wouldn't do that to a vet and team leader like Youk. Won't happen without Youk's say. Middlebrooks would have to become a top 10 prospect before you mess around with Youk.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Temporary Bump. Nothing to see here, move along.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Last time, thank you.