Boston Red Sox: It's Now a Good Idea to Send Will Middlebrooks Down

There's no doubt that Will Middlebrooks started his major league career about as good as we would've liked to see. By adding him into the then-struggling Boston lineup, the Red Sox started to produce more runs and win more games.

His surge allowed many to discuss the future of Kevin Youkilis in a Boston uniform and whether he'd have a job once he came off of the disabled list. I, for one, thought that trading away Youkilis was Boston's best option since Middlebrooks had been so hot.

The problem is Kevin Youkilis doesn't have any trade value at the moment, since he's been injured and didn't play well at all while he was healthy. The other problem is now Will Middlebrooks has cooled off and might need some time back in Triple-A Pawtucket.

Would it really be the worst thing if they optioned him back and allowed Youkilis to get some time?

Two weeks ago: Possibly.

Now: No.

In Middlebrooks' first 12 games of his career, he was hitting .300/.340/.640 with five doubles, four home runs and 14 RBI.

Now, the bad thing is it seems as if he's starting to lose his touch and maybe his confidence at the plate. In his last six games, he's hitting under .200 and has struck out 12 times in 23 at-bats. That doesn't look good any way you try to put it.

The Red Sox are going to have to give Youkilis some time if they plan on dealing him before the trade deadline, which definitely is a possibility. Give him a couple weeks in order to reestablish his trade value and hopefully a decent deal lands on Ben Cherington's desk.

This way, Boston can pickup some help, probably in the bullpen, and they can still get the most out of their future third baseman.

Kevin Youkilis is currently doing rehab assignments in Triple-A Pawtucket, and a decision is going to have to be made rapidly.

What will Boston decide to do with the duo of Kevin Youkilis and Will Middlebrooks?