Will Middlebrooks

[example1]

Didn't see a thread (recent) that had to do specifically with Middlebrooks.

 

It's early in the season, but Middlebrooks has 5 HR and 16 RBI at AAA. Last year he raked at AA but struggled at AAA. Now he's showing AAA is not too much for him. This is similar to Ryan Lavarnway, except that there are no questions about Middlebrooks' ability to play 3B.

 

The question is what are the Sox going to do with this kid? It is probably a given that he will be filling Youk's expensive shoes next year in an effort to get the payroll below LT. But in 2012 can the Sox take advantage of their seeming abundance of 3B talent and a market that needs 3B? I think there's a few teams on the West Coast that could use a 3B, so Youkilis would be an obvious option.

[a700hitter]

Didn't see a thread (recent) that had to do specifically with Middlebrooks.

 

It's early in the season, but Middlebrooks has 5 HR and 16 RBI at AAA. Last year he raked at AA but struggled at AAA. Now he's showing AAA is not too much for him. This is similar to Ryan Lavarnway, except that there are no questions about Middlebrooks' ability to play 3B.

 

The question is what are the Sox going to do with this kid? It is probably a given that he will be filling Youk's expensive shoes next year in an effort to get the payroll below LT. But in 2012 can the Sox take advantage of their seeming abundance of 3B talent and a market that needs 3B? I think there's a few teams on the West Coast that could use a 3B, so Youkilis would be an obvious option.

Xaendar Boegarts and another prospect or 2 for King Felix?

[example1]

Xaendar Boegarts and another prospect or 2 for King Felix?

 

I assume you are kidding about this, but it wouldn't be inconcievable for the Sox to look at moving Middlebrooks for the right piece. It would make more sense to just set him up as their 3B moving forward because he cost virtually nothing and 3B is a pretty tough position to fill these days.

 

Maybe a package around Youkilis (and his option) for Andre Ethier would make sense, though that's totally out of left field and random.

[User Name]

If they're going to trade Youkilis, they need to trade him for pitching.

 

With Kalish, Crawford and Ellsbury coming back later this year, it doesn't make much sense to trade Youk + for an OF with platoon problems who can't play D.

[example1]

If they're going to trade Youkilis, they need to trade him for pitching.

 

With Kalish, Crawford and Ellsbury coming back later this year, it doesn't make much sense to trade Youk + for an OF with platoon problems who can't play D.

 

I agree about the need for pitching but I have a hard time seeing who that pitcher might be. Most seasons I can at least anticipate a few of the hotter pitching options who might be available at the deadline. Probably no chance the Phillies try to move Hamels if they don't have to (though their offensive woes could probably benefit from Youks). Any other pitchers who wouold be reasonable to look for? Any obvious closers/relievers who would be worth a significant offensive piece like Youkilis?

[a700hitter]

I assume you are kidding about this, but it wouldn't be inconcievable for the Sox to look at moving Middlebrooks for the right piece. It would make more sense to just set him up as their 3B moving forward because he cost virtually nothing and 3B is a pretty tough position to fill these days.

 

Maybe a package around Youkilis (and his option) for Andre Ethier would make sense, though that's totally out of left field and random.

No, I wasn't kidding. I'd move Xaender and Doubront and other prospects to get King Felix. Youkilis could be moved for the deal that you proposed for Ethier and Middlebrooks becomes the third baseman.

[User Name]

I agree about the need for pitching but I have a hard time seeing who that pitcher might be. Most seasons I can at least anticipate a few of the hotter pitching options who might be available at the deadline. Probably no chance the Phillies try to move Hamels if they don't have to (though their offensive woes could probably benefit from Youks). Any other pitchers who wouold be reasonable to look for? Any obvious closers/relievers who would be worth a significant offensive piece like Youkilis?

 

Gavin Floyd from the White Sox, who have a mess at 3B, and may think they have a prayer of competing.

 

Ervin Santana from the Angels also makes sense, because Mark Trumbo is not a 3B, and they honestly don't have one.

 

If (when) Chipper goes down for the Braves, they may look to deal from their SP depth after Vizcaino and Hudson come back (No Jurjjens plz though).

[Station 13]

Hitting .377 w/6 HR and SLG .700

 

Let's trade him and play Youkilis at 3B till Bogaerts is ready by 2014!

[example1]

That's the other way to go with it Station 13. The question is what would they expect to get back for him? User Name's suggestion about Gavin Floyd seems like too little to get back for such a good prospect. He costs too much and Middlebrooks value will be huge over the next few years even with average production.

 

I would think that only pitching makes sense at this point and it would need to be someone at least on-par with Buchholz or Beckett to make it worth it.

 

As a700 said, any deal that could bring Felix should be lept upon, but otherwise I don't see great options out there.

[User Name]

That's the other way to go with it Station 13. The question is what would they expect to get back for him? User Name's suggestion about Gavin Floyd seems like too little to get back for such a good prospect. He costs too much and Middlebrooks value will be huge over the next few years even with average production.

 

I never said Floyd for WMB, i said Floyd for Youkilis, then promote WMB.

[Station 13]

Guess who went yard just now...

[Station 13]

I never said Floyd for WMB' date=' i said Floyd for Youkilis, then promote WMB.[/quote']

 

That would be a terrible trade for WMB.

 

Youkilis has little value at the moment.

[User Name]

That would be a terrible trade for WMB.

 

Youkilis has little value at the moment.

 

If the White Sox were to bite on Youkilis for Floyd, i'd do that, and bring WMB up full time.

[Spudboy]

If the White Sox were to bite on Youkilis for Floyd' date=' i'd do that, and bring WMB up full time.[/quote']

 

I would do this. And I'm a huge Youk fan.

[example1]

I never said Floyd for WMB' date=' i said Floyd for Youkilis, then promote WMB.[/quote']

 

Sorry, wasn't suggesting you said Floyd for WMB. Was saying that as far as options go--when flipping the trade from Youkilis to WMB instead--Floyd wouldn't make a lot of sense. I don't think there's a Hanley-Beckett like trade out there waiting.

[jacksonianmarch]

Why in the holy hell would the White Sox want Youkilis for Floyd? The White Sox have started out well and Floyd is one of their stalwarts in their rotation. Hell, the Yankees tried to pry him away and they wanted Montero and Banuelos. You dont have those kind of prospects at the ready for a trade. Why would they shift focus from young, top notch prospects to an old, beat up 3b who his manager has turned on?

[ORS]

#8 tonight.....on fuggin' fire. Doubleheader today, and he walked twice too.

[Dojji]

We could really use him, I hope he gets called up soon.

 

Youk can play left field. Middlebrooks is far more athletic at third.

[SoxFanForsyth]

We could really use him, I hope he gets called up soon.

 

Youk can play left field. Middlebrooks is far more athletic at third.

 

 

Uh. What?!?

 

Youk couldn't play LF when he was moving well. He can't even play 3B because he can't move well enough. That's a horrible, horrible, horrible idea to put Youk in LF.

[User Name]

Why in the holy hell would the White Sox want Youkilis for Floyd? The White Sox have started out well and Floyd is one of their stalwarts in their rotation. Hell' date=' the Yankees tried to pry him away and they wanted Montero and Banuelos. You dont have those kind of prospects at the ready for a trade. Why would they shift focus from young, top notch prospects to an old, beat up 3b who his manager has turned on?[/quote']

 

Two words: Kenny Williams. Do you not follow baseball?

[User Name]

 

Uh. What?!?

 

Youk couldn't play LF when he was moving well. He can't even play 3B because he can't move well enough. That's a horrible, horrible, horrible idea to put Youk in LF.

 

Yeah that doesn't make any sense.

[pedroias laser]

Yeah that doesn't make any sense.

 

What would get Middlebrooks up then? I don't see Youk playing OF that's a joke or a really bad one Doji.

[Laser Show]

What would get Middlebrooks up then? I don't see Youk playing OF that's a joke or a really bad one Doji.

 

Trading Youk for pitching.

 

Or better yet, play out the season as is, and make Youk the DH of the future. He'll be able to spell Gonzo and WMB at 1B/3B.

[pedroias laser]

Trading Youk for pitching.

 

Or better yet, play out the season as is, and make Youk the DH of the future. He'll be able to spell Gonzo and WMB at 1B/3B.

 

I can see Youk as a future DH. But my worry is now not next year!. Middlebrooks is

ripping it up and should be up right now not later.

[Station 13]

I can see Youk as a future DH. But my worry is now not next year!. Middlebrooks is

ripping it up and should be up right now not later.

 

Hopefully he isn't a DH here.

[mvp 78]

Trading Youk for pitching.

 

Or better yet, play out the season as is, and make Youk the DH of the future. He'll be able to spell Gonzo and WMB at 1B/3B.

 

Was a good idea before his production fell off a cliff and Ortiz's stayed good.

[Dojji]

 

Uh. What?!?

 

Youk couldn't play LF when he was moving well. He can't even play 3B because he can't move well enough. That's a horrible, horrible, horrible idea to put Youk in LF.

 

Have you forgotten who our left fielder was from about 2001 to mid 2008?

[SoxFanForsyth]

Have you forgotten who our left fielder was from about 2001 to mid 2008?

 

Manny is 300X more athletic than Youkilis.

[User Name]

Comparing Manny to Youkilis is asinine. Not only was Manny a HOF caliber bat, but he was an actual OF who was pretty good playing the monster. Youk is an infielder who's not hitting, and has never been able to play the OF, even though they did try that experiment.

[mvp 78]

Youk also said he'd never play OF again. His mobility is awful as well.