Frank_Thomas

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Jun 24, 2012 -> 11:50 AM) More from Peter Abraham: The Red Sox are still in the process of trying to trade Kevin Youkilis, several major league sources said. But after being held out of the lineup for three days, he is batting sixth and playing third base today. "It's not directly related to anything other than than trying to win a ballgame and keep him as sharp as possible." Bobby Valentine said. Will Middlebrooks is the DH as David Ortiz gets a day off. The White Sox, Indians and Dodgers remain in the mix for Youkilis with another team — as yet unknown — also involved. In the latest twist, the third baseman's brother has taken to Twitter to criticize Valentine and the city of Boston. "Love that #teamyouk may be changing sox real soon. #Chicago is better town anyways!" wrote Scott Youkilis, a restaurant owner in San Francisco. He also wrote, "Bobby V is a joke." Valentine also owns a restaurant. Maybe the two warring parties can have a cook off. Aaron Cook can be the judge. His brother still seems to think he's been traded to Chicago, either that or he is enjoying pissing off Redsox nation: Scott Youkilis @chefyouk #whychicagoisbetterthanboston closer drive from Cincinnati 10:36am - 24 Jun 12

More from Peter Abraham: The Red Sox are still in the process of trying to trade Kevin Youkilis, several major league sources said. But after being held out of the lineup for three days, he is batting sixth and playing third base today. "It's not directly related to anything other than than trying to win a ballgame and keep him as sharp as possible." Bobby Valentine said. Will Middlebrooks is the DH as David Ortiz gets a day off. The White Sox, Indians and Dodgers remain in the mix for Youkilis with another team — as yet unknown — also involved. In the latest twist, the third baseman's brother has taken to Twitter to criticize Valentine and the city of Boston. "Love that #teamyouk may be changing sox real soon. #Chicago is better town anyways!" wrote Scott Youkilis, a restaurant owner in San Francisco. He also wrote, "Bobby V is a joke." Valentine also owns a restaurant. Maybe the two warring parties can have a cook off. Aaron Cook can be the judge.

Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com hears from a major league source that the Dodgers, White Sox, Indians, Braves, and a fifth team are in on Youkilis. A second source says that the Pirates and Diamondbacks are no longer involved. A source with knowledge of the talks indicated that Boston is focused on getting the best return available, whether its in the form of prospects or current major leaguers. Per MLBTraderumors

Nick Cafardo @nickcafardo Kevin Towers confirmed that the D-Backs are not in the Kevin Youkilis hunt. Sox would prefer an NL destination. Dodgers? Braves? And here it goes, KW was just used as the media pawn. The Redsox have been dragging their feet creating a market and interest for Youk so they could trade him to a NL club like they have wanted. That alone shows the Redsox think he still has something in the tank and don't want this trade to burn them down the road if they did trade him to the sox or an AL team.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jun 24, 2012 -> 10:41 AM) I agree but the bothersome thing is WE continue this speculation and the under valuing of our own players. For one thing I don't believe Floyd will go anywhere this season as we seeing our own problems with starting pitching suffering injuries. If we are going to compete we need major league picthers and Floyd is one. I don't see us competing with stop gap replacements from the minors. Quintana has worked out but Stewart and Axelrod have struggled. Matt Thonton is a quality left handed relief pitcher. He might be tardae bait but not for Youklis. I see is a story that the Sox are looking for pitching too. Maybe we will take a chance on Jamie Moyer? We don't trade anyone and we get a professional lefty starter probably still able to be effective for 5 or 6 innings. I wouldn't be opposed to giving Moyer a look. Although I can't imagine him having much to offer. I think either way Kenny is targeting SP. We have too many question marks, will Peaves hold up, can Sale continue to be the best pitcher in the AL or will his arm fall off first, when Danks comes back can he be healthy for the rest of the season and return to form, can Humber, Floyd needs to get his mind right or he will continue to struggle. If KW wants to have a chance at the division he knows damn well he will have to add a SP at the deadline. And he will as lOng as we are still in it. We have two glowing weaknesses, 3B and a solid 2/3 SP, with improvements there we can easily compete and win a winnable open central and ultimately it's whoever is hot in October and weve seen this team get hot and play lights out. I also think we lack the shut down closer needed but I see Reed becoming that guy ultimately, kinda like Jenks (without the alcohol problem) we just have to see what KW does. I could see us going after ARam if we lose out on Youk although I think his contract would ultimately derail that, but he is exactly the type of hitter this offense needs, especially in late game clutch situations.

A #RedSox source said Youkilis being in the lineup is not indicative of anything one way or another. Trade remains in play. Per Pete Abraham Boston Globe Redsox beat writer

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Jun 24, 2012 -> 09:55 AM) Boston better pray Youk's back does not mysteriously flair up today. Absolutely, this could definitely blow up in their faces if he goes down. I could also see this as a way for Boston to either A) to use it in negotiations with whatever team to finalilize things quicker or to attempt to get a better player. or. B) This his final send off to the Redsox Nation, he is a pretty big fan favorite. It just makes no sense with the way everything has been reported the past few days. Lol especially with all the crap his brother was saying last night....

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Jun 24, 2012 -> 09:30 AM) Kevin Youkilis is in the Red Sox' lineup Sunday, playing third base and batting sixth. Youkilis is expected to be traded soon, but his presence in the lineup makes the possibility of a deal going down Sunday unlikely. Will Middlebrooks is also playing, as he's slotted into the DH spot. David Ortiz is getting a day off. Rotoworld Wow, seems pretty weird with Bobby telling him to expect a long time on the bench. Maybe there are some games going on back and forth. Either way guess we won't find out in a few hours, looks like this one will drag on some more. Great lol.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 24, 2012 -> 09:22 AM) Funny, they weren't so smart to hold onto Reddick when they had no outfield depth coming into this season. That led them to a desperation pick-up of Marlon Byrd, and the likes of Sweeney, Ross and Darnell McDonald starting numerous games. David Ortiz wants out, so does Youkilis, Beckett won't be far behind...it's not like they have recently been the blueprint of a well-run organization. A lot of those bad contracts are finally coming home to roost, it's just that Theo's not around to be held accountable for the mess that he 75% created. Right on. The state of the Redsox is a cluster, look at our team last year and the effect it had mentally to most of our players last year. Obviously Youks body and overall production is on a decline, it's what happens with age. But to be upset KW is attempting on making a move to improve our miserable 3B tandem is a little much. Youk will vastly improve our offense even if he produces like he has lately all the while gving us a far better defensive replacement at third. I still feel like this has dragged on too long for us to ultimately end up being the team that traded for him. But as Baron said we should find out shortly, since they will have to make a roster move to add Cook to their roster before his start this afternoon. A few hours and well know if Youk is changing Sox or leagues.

I hope we do get him, as I said early I think he is just a bi-product of the whatever has been going on in Boston the past year or so. Whichever team lands him I think he rakes, I could be wrong but that's my gut feeling. And in my opinion he is the perfect addition to the bottom of this lineup, and it upgrades us significantly defensively. If we can get this done without anyone off our ML roster, and then get a SP in a month or so closer to the deadline ( I see KW taking a chance on Dempster once he comes off the DL). If we have seen anything so far this season it is this division, and theaters in general is pretty much wide open, and I think the addition of Youk helps us continue to stay in this thing.

QUOTE (Baron @ Jun 23, 2012 -> 10:12 PM) Pete Abraham ‏@PeteAbe Youkilis update: Indians, White Sox and Dodgers appear to be the three primary teams. #RedSox https://twitter.com/PeteAbe The longer this goes on the more I feel like it ain't happening. It's dragged on for basically two days with people reporting us being very interested. When KW makes a move he pounces before any really has a chance to break it. I have a feeling we are being used as leverage in the media and in reality we may not be all that interested.

QUOTE (Baron @ Jun 23, 2012 -> 08:54 PM) I believe that was Bucket actually who was hearing that. That seems to be the amount people are going to give up. I dont think Matt will be involved in the trade. You're absolutely right, my bad.

QUOTE (Baron @ Jun 23, 2012 -> 08:41 PM) The Red Sox are promoting Aaron Cook tomorrow. So Youkillis will be gone by then. I know earlier you were hearing a Spect+ cash for Youk, are you hearing anything new??

QUOTE (flavum @ Jun 23, 2012 -> 04:55 PM) http://twitter.com/nickcafardo/status/216649594854055939 Interesting, maybe this won't get sorted out as quickly as we all thought.

QUOTE (Noonskadoodle @ Jun 23, 2012 -> 04:54 PM) Why do people think its YOLK? Def YOUKKKKKKKK LOL it's in reference to Beckhams tweet, which most of us misconstrued as Beckham announcing we traded for in his words "Yolk". Turns out he was going to Yolk with his GF for breakfast, and we didnt trade for Youk nor learn his other nickname.

QUOTE (Cali @ Jun 23, 2012 -> 03:21 PM) Youk has the potential to be better than Morel/Hudson/Escobar/A Cardboard cut out of Lara Croft, but I honestly cant remember KW making a mid-season trade that helped the team make the drive to the post-season. So it more than likely won't work out anyway... If this goes through, which I do see us ultimately landing "YOLK" (though I sincerely doubt we give up Thorton), I really like what this does for our lineup. I think Youk is suffering from the cancerous Bosox clubhouse that everyone is talking about. That along with the fact Bobby V pubublically called him out for not giving 100% I just think he needs a change of sceanery. I think he will fit it nicely at the bottom of our lineup and give Tank some better pitches to hit with Youk batting behind him. Youk takes a ton of pitches and honestly I would bet he comes in to our relaxed clubhouse and gets back to his old self. I have a feeling this could end up being a great move for us, or whoever ends us trading for him. Lastly, even if we give up Thorton, KW will be able to get another bullpen arm closer to the deadline once the wild card pictures are a little clearer. And I also believe we will see him add that coveted SP before the deadline, if this trade goes through it shows we are going for it and will be adding this July instead of subtracting.

Here's what the Kaps blog said about "Kerry wood being close to singing with the cubs." I don't know if I consider it news. The Cubs, who have a major need for a veteran right handed reliever are moving towards finalizing a deal with free agent Kerry Wood. Wood, who spent the first 10 years of his major league career with the Cubs spent 2010 with the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees and compiled impressive numbers down the stretch for New York as the Yankees qualified for the post season. Acquired by the Yankees at the trading deadline, Wood went 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in 24 games. If he finalizes his deal with the Cubs, Wood should provide tremendous support to Cubs closer Carlos Marmol and along with left hander Sean Marshall will form a very formidable back end of the bullpen. Wood has made Chicago his permanent home and told me just last week that whatever decision he made about where he would pitch in 2011 had to be a good fit for his family. Being able to stay home and his longtime relationship with Cubs general manager Jim Hendry are huge factors in the Cubs favor. Per CSN blogs

Not sure if this was posted yet, if so my apologies. ChuckGarfien Crain vs. Konerko .111 with 10K's in 18 at-bats, vs. AJ .154, vs. Alexei .125, vs. Teahen .000 with 5 K's.... about 2 hours ago ChuckGarfien Jesse Crain's career against the White Sox: 5-2. 1.45 ERA in 49.2 innings. Don't have to deal with that anymore. about 2 hours ago

QUOTE (flavum @ Dec 15, 2010 -> 10:30 PM) ALL IN, BABY!!! Damn well Kerry Wood sucks anyways and walks way to many people who would want him on their team. Jk but really to want to sign with the cubs looking at that roster compared to us shows Woods desire to win and be part of a division title run. His cubbie persobalty might be to soft for the south side

Just when things were getting quiet after landing Donkey Kong. This is great and if we indeed add Kid K after landing Crain then JR and the front office are really saying f it were All-In, this has been a great and fun offseason and either way KW and Jr need to plauded and Sox fans need to show up. Although I do think some of this money is coming from the Bulls losing out on Lebron.

With another surprise, Ruben Amaro starts rivaling Ken Williams Yahoo! Sports - Tue Dec 14, 1:47 PM EST With due respect to the other newsmakers of this baseball offseason, Ruben Amaro of the Philadelphia Phillies and Ken Williams of the Chicago White Sox continue to show why they're the craftiest and most surprising general managers in the majors. Theo Epstein adding Carl Crawford (notes) and Adrian Gonzalez (notes) at the winter meetings was stunning, but only to a point. The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are supposed to get the best players; they're certainly in better position than the rest of the league to do so. Amaro (pictured left) and Williams, while playing in big markets, have less margin for error than Brian Cashman and Epstein. Going for any player who earns top dollar is a bigger risk for Philly and Chicago. The Phillies leaped from the bushes on Monday to get Cliff Lee (notes) in free agency a year after they traded him away in a deal that brought Roy Halladay (notes) to town. From MLB.com: " We're like, 'Whoa ,'" center fielder Shane Victorino (notes) said. "I had heard about this mystery team. I was like, 'There's no way it's us.' Then I heard the Phillies were back in it. [...]" And like he did with Jake Peavy (notes) in late 2009, Williams pounced on Adam Dunn (notes) earlier this offseason when nobody considered Chicago to be a player. And he managed to keep Paul Konerko (notes) in the fold, too. Further, the plucking of pricey Alex Rios (notes) from waivers in '09 seemed a mistake to many , but Rios was one of Chicago's best players in 2010. Said Williams (via MLB.com): "It's uncomfortable sometimes, but you either are all in or you are not. And if you are not, then present that message to your fans. Be straight and say, 'I don't think we are going to do very much and here's the plan going forward.' If you are in it, stand up and show you are." White Sox fans and Phillies don't have to worry about that, because of who's in charge of their teams. Per yahoo sports.

I was thinking Dodgers as well, but I'm thinking Jonathan Bronxton. We always match up well the dodgers. I think a flowers/Viciedo and another throw in gets it done. Then I think we NEED to get a athletic high on base and average guy in RF. Whether it's a package with CQ or trading him for prospects for a RF. Then KW and Coop will have a pow-wow and find a few diamonds in the rough to piece the bullpen together till June or July. Anyone have a list of closers or the like of closers that may be available via trade?

Unreal. This offseason would have matched the Yankees from a few years back if the AGon extension would have went through. Two 140+/7 year deals. Unreal. This will send ridiculous shock waves. Grienke to the Rays, Lee to the Yankees, Angels and Beltre? Rangers lose out big time in all this. Thank god PK was wrapped up today he would be pretty diserable, after this bomb. This will definitly send shock waves trough the American League the rest of te offseason. Off topic: the MLB NETWORK coverage of Pena to the Cuba is rodiculous, almos to the point of espn and the yank, sox, and lebron. He hit .196, well Carlis Wrigley day games say hello, also the Boo birds for all your Ks.

Oh and one more thing I really believe everyone is forgetting about one tram who I bet is the other serious contender, Texa Rangers. Te have money to spend And an open spot, paulie would rake in Arlington and be on a winning tram with great chemistry. Everything he wants plus the moeny.

Seriously this is getting ridiculous as we all now. Thefact is we ends up with PK all this is and has been is a staring contest. The sox put their cards out early by saying they wanted PK, the sox thought the love and defferred money would be seen as kindness and hoped PK took a hometoow discount. pK s camp saw the sox desire for him as a way to drove up the price and get Pualie a big last contract.Fron most if not all experts have it saying we get him. I wouldn't be surporsed if Landis is drumming up fake suitors and higher offers to get Paulie the 14-15 per year. That being said, move on. Move in now, you fan support is behind it for the most part. And the ball club needs us yo to fill the other glaring holes. I like PK he probably is my 2nd favorite sox of all time, but DLeE will have a Bounce back year, is a great defender, and leader. He will fill in great on a 1 year with option. Then sign a big name reliever, crain gurrrier, downs, wood. And a lower tear guy. At RBI point we need to move on to other areas of our team. The meetings are over and we have been chasing PK around the park like a school girl with a crush.