Youkilis in today's lineup for the Sox (showcase for the A's?)

[WakefieldsCrewSox]

This could be nothing. But I can't help but wonder if this is an attempt to showcase him for the A's. As has been posted in other forums, there has already been speculation of a possible deal with the A's that could send Zito to Boston. The A's were in the stands to scout Kim a week ago, and today Youkilis is in the lineup for the first time this year and performing extremely well (2-4, home run in his first ML game). Its well known how much Billy Beane is absolutely in love with the guy. Is it possible that a deal is in the works as we speak??

[Irony Of It All]

Where would Youkilis play? This is a serious question because as far as I know Youkilis only plays 3B and he's not moving Chavez anywhere. Also, why would the A's trade for Kim while he's throwing around 84mph? Unless Kim can turn it around, this trade makes no sense for the A's.

[WakefieldsCrewSox]

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/..._bos&fext=.jsp

Apparently Mueller is taking a few games off with inflammation in his knee. Irony, I am not saying the same questions surrounding the trade don't still exist. But we know for a fact that the A's have scouted Kim. And we know for a fact that Beane loves Youkilis. If they were to acquire him, it would not be the first time that they moved an OBP guy to a new position (Hatteberg was a former catcher and was switched to 1B). By no means is this a done deal, and its only speculation. I'm just pointing out that the 'irony' in the timing of his debut.

[Irony Of It All]

Originally posted by WakefieldsCrewSox
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/..._bos&fext=.jsp

Apparently Mueller is taking a few games off with inflammation in his knee. Irony, I am not saying the same questions surrounding the trade don't still exist. But we know for a fact that the A's have scouted Kim. And we know for a fact that Beane loves Youkilis. If they were to acquire him, it would not be the first time that they moved an OBP guy to a new position (Hatteberg was a former catcher and was switched to 1B). By no means is this a done deal, and its only speculation. I'm just pointing out that the 'irony' in the timing of his debut.

Has Kim made any starts since being sent down, and if so how did he do? As for Hatteberg catching I completely forgot about that, but I guess the only question is whether or not the A's would be willing to move him. I still don't think that Kim and Youkilis would be enough to get Zito but you never know.

[WakefieldsCrewSox]

Trust me, I have my doubts as well about Kim. I actually wonder if Lowe could be a bargaining chip instead? I realize he has not pitched well this year thusfar, however, he is certainly a decent pitcher who would be very cheap this year for the A's before he hits free agency. No loss in moving him now for the Sox since again, once he hits the FA market with Boras as an agent chances are not great he'd be resigned. If the centerpiece in the deal was Youkilis, then perhaps he would be a more reasonable complement than Kim. Not to mention the fact that IF Zito was the one coming, they would need to clear a spot in the rotation.

EDIT: Found this in the notes section of the Sox website:

Kim on search mission: From reviewing some of Kim's tapes from past years, Francona could see a distinct difference in both his follow-through and the crispness of his pitches.

"The idea is to get some of that explosiveness back. His arm's fine, but I looked at some of his old tapes and some of his tapes now and, he used to fly off the mound," Francona said. "We just want to get him able to do that. The only way he's going to get that back is to pitch. And to pitch here didn't seem like the right move."

Initially, Kim will pitch two innings for the PawSox every three days.

[Irony Of It All]

Originally posted by WakefieldsCrewSox
To answer your question, I don't THINK he has started as of yet for Pawtucket. Trust me, I have my doubts as well about Kim. I actually wonder if Lowe could be a bargaining chip instead? I realize he has not pitched well this year thusfar, however, he is certainly a decent pitcher who would be very cheap this year for the A's before he hits free agency. No loss in moving him now for the Sox since again, once he hits the FA market with Boras as an agent chances are not great he'd be resigned. If the centerpiece in the deal was Youkilis, then perhaps he would be a more reasonable complement than Kim. Not to mention the fact that IF Zito was the one coming, they would need to clear a spot in the rotation.

The best trade idea I've heard so far was by Joe Sheehan. Basically he pointed out the teams that had both the need for and means to acquire Beltran. For the A's he suggested they dangle Barry Zito out there to see if the Royals would bite. Definitely something to consider because of the alarming decline of K's for Zito and the fact that he still has an extremely high perceived value. You have to be registered to read it,but here's the link if you're interested.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/ar...articleid=2866

[knickfan23]

Wasnt Youkilis referred to as "The Greek God of Walks"

I missed him playing today. How did he do?

[WakefieldsCrewSox]

Originally posted by knickfan23
Wasnt Youkilis referred to as "The Greek God of Walks"

I missed him playing today. How did he do?

2 for 4 with a home run in his first at bat. I missed the beginning of the game but i guess he was very impressive.

[WakefieldsCrewSox]

Originally posted by Irony Of It All


The best trade idea I've heard so far was by Joe Sheehan. Basically he pointed out the teams that had both the need for and means to acquire Beltran. For the A's he suggested they dangle Barry Zito out there to see if the Royals would bite. Definitely something to consider because of the alarming decline of K's for Zito and the fact that he still has an extremely high perceived value. You have to be registered to read it,but here's the link if you're interested.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/ar...articleid=2866

Unfortunately i'm not but thanks for the mention. That is an interesting point about the Royals and A's. But i'd imagine that if the A's got Beltran it would only be in a rent-a-player scenario too since they prob couldnt afford to resign him after this year. Thats one thing that makes me think that the Youkilis possibility exists, since he would cost virtually nothing being a prospect. Obviously the Zito deal is wishful thinking on my part. Its def. true his numbers have not been as good this year, but i have a hard time believe that he is truly on the decline. Certainly not a guy I would mind having to form a rotation of:
Pedro/Schilling/Zito/Wakefield/Arroyo.

[Irony Of It All]

Originally posted by WakefieldsCrewSox


Unfortunately i'm not but thanks for the mention. That is an interesting point about the Royals and A's. But i'd imagine that if the A's got Beltran it would only be in a rent-a-player scenario too since they prob couldnt afford to resign him after this year. Thats one thing that makes me think that the Youkilis possibility exists, since he would cost virtually nothing being a prospect. Obviously the Zito deal is wishful thinking on my part. Its def. true his numbers have not been as good this year, but i have a hard time believe that he is truly on the decline. Certainly not a guy I would mind having to form a rotation of:
Pedro/Schilling/Zito/Wakefield/Arroyo.

I hope the A's do get Beltran because he would be a rental. I think Beane would consider this because it may be the offense they need to win west. It would also be good for the Royals because they would be able to save face with their fans if they got someone like Zito.

As for Zito to the Red Sox. You also have to consider the backlash the A's would face for trading Zito for a pitcher who has been horrible so far this year and a 3B prospect. I do think that one of the big 3 will be traded eventually, and I also think it will be Zito. I just don't think it will be this year unless it's for someone like Beltran. I could still see the A's getting Kim - assuming he turns it around- but I don't think they'll trade Zito for him.

[Sabermetrics]

While I don't think Theo will trade Youkilis OR Kim, judging by his adoration for the two. (If you read Moneyball, you found out that Billy loved Youk and wanted him and Theo loved Youk and refused to give him up.)

Naturally though, Youkilis would play 1B and Chavez would play 3B. Youkilis is no defense wonder and Hatteberg is well, Hatteberg.

[WakefieldsCrewSox]

Originally posted by Sabermetrics
While I don't think Theo will trade Youkilis OR Kim, judging by his adoration for the two. (If you read Moneyball, you found out that Billy loved Youk and wanted him and Theo loved Youk and refused to give him up.)

Naturally though, Youkilis would play 1B and Chavez would play 3B. Youkilis is no defense wonder and Hatteberg is well, Hatteberg.

I wouldn't read too much into Theo yet. He wants to protect prospects, yes. But it depends on the situation. He turned down a Fossum for Colon deal, but then dealt Fossum in the Schilling trade. He wasn't going to move Freddy Sanchez, but then he was swapped in the Suppan deal last year when it became necessary to get the trade done. While I agree that he will try to keep Youkilis barring the right trade, if Zito is offered I don't see how he would be able to refuse. (By the way, I think you are dead on about Youkilis. A move to first is what I would envision as well should he join the A's).

[Leesha]

Originally posted by WakefieldsCrewSox


2 for 4 with a home run in his first at bat. I missed the beginning of the game but i guess he was very impressive.

He did look really good. And of course, the guys in the dugout had to play with him. After he hit the dinger, they pretended not to notice him when he returned. I think it went on about ten seconds before everyone jumped on the guy to congratulate him. Ya gotta love messing with the rookie