MLB Trade Buzz: Kevin Youkilis Would Be Nice Fit for San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants need an infielder who can play a corner infield spot, bat in the middle of the order and produce some runs.

Third baseman Pablo Sandoval will be out for at least the next month, if not a bit longer, due to a fractured hamate bone in his left hand.

Meanwhile, first base has been a black hole for the Giants all season. Manager Bruce Bochy still hesitates to fully commit to Brandon Belt, as he just doesn't know how to quit Aubrey Huff.

The Boston Red Sox have an infield surplus, with the emergence of third baseman Will Middlebrooks. After his first seven games, he's compiled a .323/.344/.742 slash average with three home runs and nine RBI in 32 plate appearances. 

That performance has manager Bobby Valentine hesitant to take Middlebrooks out of the lineup when Kevin Youkilis returns from the disabled list. The youngster has swung a productive bat while Youkilis has struggled, batting .219/.292/.344 with two homers and nine RBI in 72 plate appearances. 

So if Youkilis has lost his job at third base, where else could he play? Adrian Gonzalez is entrenched at first base, and David Ortiz mans the designated hitter spot. If he was willing (or able) to play outfield, the Red Sox could use him in left field. But that's not likely to happen.

Trading Youkilis looks increasingly like the best option for the Red Sox. And the Giants need a capable hitter who can play first and third base. Do we have a good match for a trade here?

ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes talked to a major league talent evaluator who proposed the same scenario. Youkilis would be a great fit for the Giants. He could fill at third base while Sandoval is out and move over to first base later on. Even though he's not the hitter he used to be, his bat would still be an improvement over what the Giants currently have. 

For Youkilis, getting out of Boston could refresh his career. Ever since Valentine said he wasn't "physically or emotionally into the game," there's been tension between the two. The Red Sox are a circus right now, between Valentine's managerial gaffes and players like Josh Beckett alienating themselves from fans, media and teammates.

Escaping that might be exactly what Youkilis needs.

Youkilis still has the remainder of his $12 million salary for this season to be paid, in addition to a club option that would likely be bought out. The Red Sox would likely have to eat some of that or accept a lesser player, perhaps a mid-level outfield or pitching prospect, in return. 

Right now, this is trade speculation with not even a report or rumor to give it some validity. However, both teams would benefit from such a deal being made. Don't be surprised if it gets closer to reality in the weeks to come. 

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