MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox Will Reportedly Move Kevin Youkilis

The Boston Red Sox have an important decision to make with Kevin Youkilis, and according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, they are telling teams that he is going to be moved:

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Red Sox are telling teams they definitely intend to trade Youkilis.

— DKnobler (@DKnobler) June 1, 2012"

As much sense as this would make for the Red Sox, general manager Ben Cherington told WEEI that the report is "inaccurate."

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Some teams have checked in on him. We haven’t told any teams we plan to trade him. It’s our job to listen if teams have interest. He’s swinging the bat well since coming off the DL and [is] a big part of our team and lineup.

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The emergence of Will Middlebrooks and the fact that Youkilis is in the final year of his contract, as well as his inability to stay healthy, have no doubt played a part in this decision.

Despite this report, there are still a lot of things that are left open to interpretation. All we can say is that Youkilis is on the market and the Red Sox will trade him.

However, nothing is said about who will be interested in acquiring an injury-prone 33-year-old whose production has been in sharp decline the past two years. 

This season has been the worst of Youkilis' career. He is hitting .250 with an OBP of .318 and a SLG of .406 with four home runs in just 27 games. Manager Bobby Valentine called him out in April for not being emotionally or physically invested in the game.

One thing that must happen to whatever team that tries to acquire Youkilis is moving him back to first base. I believe that part of the problem is the wear and tear put on his body playing third base. He is limited in what he can do physically on the baseball field.

At least the Red Sox are trying to put an end to some of the drama that has been created with Youkilis, Middlebrooks and Adrian Gonzalez moving all over the field to make sure that all three bats get in the lineup.

With just two months to go before the trade deadline, things will be very interesting around Red Sox Nation.

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