MLB Free Agency: 10 Teams That Should Aggressively Pursue Kevin Youkilis

After the Red Sox’s 2011 collapse, major changes were made in the organization with the replacements of Terry Francona and Theo Epstein with Bobby Valentine and Ben Cherington, respectively. If they continue their disappointing start to 2012, more changes will occur.

One change the Red Sox should make regardless of their record this season is saying farewell to Kevin Youkilis.

At 33 years old, he’s no youngster and the Sox have a $13 million option for 2013 they can decline. He’s had trouble staying healthy for the last several years (the last time he played more than 140 games in a season was 2008), and the Red Sox may no longer have a place for him.

First base is obviously taken by Adrian Gonzalez, and top prospect Will Middlebrooks is tearing it up in triple-A (in 16 games, he’s hitting .379 with seven home runs).

Plus, Bobby Valentine’s comments about Youkilis’ commitment may have ended any chance the two had to coexist beyond this year.

So, assuming the Red Sox bid adieu to the “Greek God of Walks,” here are 10 teams who should go after him.

In addition to this group, a team that hires Terry Francona as their manager could also be a logical fit to sign Youk.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves have youngster Freddie Freeman at first base, but they will need to find a replacement for Chipper Jones at third after he retires this year.

They have struggled to find offense over the past few years, and Youkilis could be a logical fit to give the team a player who gets on base and can hit home runs.

Plus, he can mentor Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward and Tyler Pastornicky as they continue to develop.

Youkilis could fit in as a nice third hitter in front of Heyward and behind Michael Bourn.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs currently don't have room for Youkilis on their roster, but his connections to Theo Epstein, Youk’s former general manager, and Dale Sveum, a former Red Sox coach, creates the possibility that Youkilis could be brought in to provide veteran leadership to a rebuilding club.

It’s not a perfect fit. It’s unlikely Youkilis would want to go to a rebuilding team at this point in his career, and the Cubs don’t have much use for a mid-30s player when they realize contention is at least two to three years away.

Anthony Rizzo is the Cubs’ first baseman of the future, and they have Ian Stewart at third, who will hit arbitration this winter.

But, if the Cubs choose to pursue Youkilis, they could deal Stewart to make room for Youkilis.

Again, I don’t see Youkilis and the Cubs to be a match made in heaven, but the connection between him and the team’s front office makes the Cubs a team to watch.

Cincinnati Reds

Kevin Youkilis would probably love to sign with the Reds if he departs Beantown. He’s from Cincinnati and is a University of Cincinnati Bearcat.

The Reds are also a contending team who may need to sign a third baseman this winter when Scott Rolen’s contract expires.

Rolen plays better defense than Youkilis, but he is 37 years old and has had health issues.

First base is obviously taken by Joey Votto, but if the Reds can find room to afford Youkilis, he could be a perfect fit in Cincy.

Cleveland Indians

The Indians probably won’t compete in the playoff race in 2012, but they’re not too far away from competing in 2013. They still need a couple more pieces, and Kevin Youkilis could be one of them.

He could play a similar role in Cleveland that he has in Boston, going back and forth between first and third depending on the day’s lineup, since the Tribe don’t have an established player at either position.

Casey Kotchman is currently the first baseman, although Carlos Santana can play there every now and then, too.

Jack Hannahan is the third baseman, and he, like Kotchman, is not a long-term answer.

Youk could fit in well at both spots in Cleveland, which is not terribly far from his hometown of Cincinnati, and he could help them get closer to the Indians’ first playoff appearance since 2007.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels are loaded with pitching, but they’re still having some trouble scoring runs.

Help is on the way soon, when Mike Trout is called up from the minors to take over for Torii Hunter or Vernon Wells in the outfield, but third base is still a position they could improve on to make their offense even better, where Alberto Callaspo is a replaceable part.

A future offense containing Youkilis, Albert Pujols, Howard Kendrick, Erick Aybar, Mike Trout and Peter Bourjos would be pretty good.

Plus, Angels owner Arte Moreno is trying to win the Los Angeles market from the Dodgers, so signing any big free agent, especially one the Dodgers might go after, is appealing to him.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Now that the Dodgers have finally been sold to a group with deeper pockets than Frank McCourt, they are primed to be active in this winter’s free agent market. It’s almost a lock that they will pursue Cole Hamels, but don’t be surprised if they go after Kevin Youkilis as well.

James Loney will probably still be there in LA, but Juan Uribe is below average and Youkilis would give a relatively young team veteran leadership and a bat that gets on base in front of Matt Kemp.

Youk isn’t afraid of the spotlight, and it would be interesting to see him join forces with former Yankee nemesis Don Mattingly as manager, who was a coach for the Yankees under Joe Torre.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are in desperate need of hitters, so Youkilis would be a perfect fit in the City of Brotherly Love.

They may not have money to afford him if they give Cole Hamels a long-term deal, but if they can, Youkilis would fit in well with the veteran team that has question marks surrounding Ryan Howard and Chase Utley’s health.

Placido Polanco has a mutual option for 2013 that the Phils can decline, and if Ryan Howard needs a day off Youkilis could move across the diamond to play first for a day.

Plus, if he went to Philly, he could be reunited with Jonathan Papelbon and still wear a red uniform.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals have Lance Berkman as their first baseman on a one year deal, but Berkman is currently on the DL and it’s unknown if he’ll be able to keep up his 2011 production when he comes back.

If he doesn’t, and the Cardinals decide to go in a different direction, Youkilis would be a logical fit at first base.

No one is going to fill the gap left by Albert Pujols, but Youk’s on-base percentage would greatly help the Cards.

He would also give them some flexibility at third base with David Freese, who could also shift to second base every now and then or just take a day off.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays don’t usually spend big money on free agents, but Youk could be an exception.

Evan Longoria has third base locked down, but Carlos Pena is only on a one-year deal. He’s off to a great start, which could help him get a bigger deal elsewhere over the winter. That would leave a hole at first base that the Rays could fill with Youkilis, since they badly need hitters who get on base at a high rate.

The Rays also know that Youkilis can handle AL East pitching.

Who knows, they may even get him at a bargain price. If he continues to struggle with injuries, he could be a player many teams pass on, and the Rays could pick him up on a one-year deal as Youk tries to rebuild his value.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have money to spend, but they appear to be waiting to spend it for when they think they are ready to contend.

That may be next year.

Many already think that the Blue Jays will compete for a playoff spot this year, and next year is not a stretch at all. They can open the purse strings, and if they do, Youkilis would fit at first base.

Adam Lind will still be under contract, but Edwin Encarnacion’s contract expires this year, so Lind and Youk could split first base and DH duties (which could help keep Youkilis healthy).

If they put him in the two or three spots in front of Jose Bautista, Youk would get on base and score a lot of runs.