MLB Trade Rumors: Phillies and Diamondbacks in Toronto Scouting Kevin Youkilis

It appears the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks are in Toronto for the Red Sox' series against the Blue Jays to scout 1B/3B/DH Kevin Youkilis, according to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo.

As I've written previously, the Red Sox and Phillies make for fairly ideal trade partners. It seems that other teams that have been linked to Youkilis have fallen off the grid, like Oakland, Cincinnati and even Cleveland.

However, in another previous piece inspired by Cafardo, I listed Arizona as a potential landing spot for Youk. Now the question is, which of the two would be a better fit for his services?

Philadelphia Phillies

It is no secret that the team is reeling. It just saw Roy Halladay (who could miss six to eight weeks) hit the DL and has a disgruntled starter in Cole Hamels. While he may be saying the right things outwardly, he has to be upset the team has not extended him as of yet.

Offensively, the Phillies are just not the same without Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. They would likely try to offer up their fourth starter, Joe Blanton, in exchange for Youk. Blanton is currently 4-5 with a 5.05 ERA.

The Red Sox, though, will likely try to pry Cole Hamels away for him. The two would likely find middle ground somewhere in between or with additional pieces to the Blanton idea.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks have solid pitching and could potentially offer a player like Joe Saunders in return, though an outfielder in the form of Gerardo Parra might be more likely should the team wish to stand firm and develop its younger arms a bit more.

I tend to believe they would try to unload an outfielder. Since signing Jason Kubel in the winter, Parra has been relegated to the fourth outfielder position. With the revolving door of injuries in Boston, Parra should be able to see some regular playing time and significant innings.

Either way, it looks like Youk's time in Boston is quickly coming to an end, maybe even this week.