MLB Trade Rumors: Boston Red Sox Should Trade Kevin Youkilis and Stop the Drama

If you've been paying attention over the first week and a half of the 2012 baseball season, you would know that there is already drama in Boston.

Yesterday, manager Bobby Valentine made some comments in regards to the performance and dedication of third baseman Kevin Youkilis.

Youkilis is 6-for-30 (.200) in eight games this season and the "Greek God of Walks" has only drawn three while striking out eight times. At one point, he accomplished the rare feat of having his batting average higher than his on-base percentage.

Dustin Pedroia backed up his teammate and gave off the vibe that Bobby V is still an outsider to the Red Sox, saying "that’s not the way we go about our stuff around here."

Apparently, Youkilis sat out Marathon Monday's game with a sore groin and it wasn't due to this conflict but his remaining time in Boston could be coming to an end.

Let's remember that Boston has a very promising prospect in Will Middlebrooks at the Triple-A level and he's off to a great start this season. In 11 games for the Pawtucket Red Sox, Middlebrooks is hitting .364/.378/.636 with three home runs, 11 RBI and eight runs scored. 

Here's where you [Ben Cherington] need to pay attention. Trade away the struggling and conflicted Kevin Youkilis and let Will Middlebrooks take over the hot corner while also signing the MVP-caliber Jacoby Ellsbury to a contract extension.

I mean really people, would you rather have Jacoby Ellsbury or Kevin Youkilis? Yeah, that's what I thought.