5 Reasons Boston Red Sox Fans Have Turned on Kevin Youkilis

The Boston Red Sox haven't had the greatest of starts to this 2012 season but one of the players most struggling thus far is third baseman Kevin Youkilis.

Youkilis is currently in his ninth season in the major leagues, all with the Red Sox. He's a career .288/.389/.489 hitter with 131 home runs, 559 RBI and 583 runs. He's played a solid third base, only committing 29 errors at the hot corner over those nine seasons.

He's brought two World Series titles back to Boston and he is one of two players remaining from the 2004 Red Sox championship team.

So why the sudden change, Boston fans?

Here are the five reasons why Red Sox Nation has finally turned on Kevin Youkilis.

Offensive Struggles

Has Kevin Youkilis' unorthodox batting stance finally caught up with him?

The right-handed third baseman was about as bad as we've seen him to start the season. He's only played in 18 games but they've been rather forgettable.

Through 64 at-bats he's only collected hits 14 times (.219), four being extra-base hits. His OPS of .635 is atrocious compared to his career line of .878.

Another cause for concern has been his strikeout rate. He has struck out about 31 percent of the time and at least once a game. In four games this year he's struck out at least twice, his season-high being four against the Texas Rangers on April 17.

Defensive Struggles

Youkilis only has two errors in 43 chances at third base, but he just doesn't look as comfortable over there anymore.

Maybe manager Bobby Valentine was right when he called out Youkilis early in the season.

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I don't think he's as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past for some reason.

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There have definitely been some plays this season where Youkilis possibly could've gotten to a hard-hit ball but for some reason it got by him or he misplayed it. 

Injury Woes

For those who don't know, Youkilis is currently on the 15-day disabled list due to an ailing back.

Youkilis could be taken off as early as next week, but Boston will have to see where he is at that point.

This current DL trip is Youkilis' sixth in his major league career.

In 2010, thumb surgery cost him 56 games. This offseason he had surgery to repair a sports hernia. His back has also given him issues in the past.

If Youkilis can't even stay healthy, can he really expect the fans to still support him?

Not Worth It Anymore

Kevin Youkilis is set to make $12 million this season. Next season, the team holds a $13 million option that is almost guaranteed to be declined. There is a $1 million buyout but Boston should be happy to pay that in order to get him off of its payroll.

The reason? He just isn't worth it anymore.

It's pretty evident that he isn't going to be putting up the MVP-like numbers that he did in 2008 and 2009. He's only hit at least 20 home runs twice and driven in over 100 runs once, those all coming over three years ago.

With the other three aforementioned reasons, he doesn't deserved the money that he's earning and definitely doesn't deserve $13 million next season. Especially for the next and final reason.

William S. Middlebrooks

Heard of this guy yet? You should've.

He might be as good as of a glimpse as we're going to get at the future of the Boston Red Sox. Hands down.

Just five, yes five, games through his major league career, Will Middlebrooks has been very impressive. In 22 at-bats, he's hitting .409/.435/1.000 with four doubles, five runs, three home runs and nine RBI.

Get it now? He's a great fielder and has a very high ceiling.

It's been real, Kevin, but it's time for Will to take over.