Phillies Trade Rumors: Phillies Should Steer Clear of Kevin Youkilis

A trade to acquire Boston Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis, would wreak of desperation for the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Despite a record that's hovered around .500 which has them in last place in the NL East, they don't need to be desperate—yet. 

According to a CBSSports.com report, the Phils are one of the teams that have shown an early interest in Youkilis if Boston is indeed willing to trade him. 

In the article, Red Sox sources are cited giving more details on the situation: 

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Although one Red Sox person called talks "very preliminary'' to this point, others familiar with their thinking say the Red Sox envision an eventual need to trade him, barring more injuries.

Red Sox people are telling others they'd require something of value back for Youkilis, but word is their demands would lessen if an acquiring team is willing to pay the $9-million-plus remaining on his contract that pays $12 million this year and carries a $1 million buyout on his $13-million 2013 option.

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That's hardly chump change for a 33-year-old who's endured his fair share of injuries over the last few years. 

In the 29 games he's appeared in this season, Youkilis is hitting .245 with four home runs and 12 RBI. The initial interest in Youk is logical, as Philadelphia's Placido Polanco has dealt with a knee injury early in 2012, but a replacement certainly isn't needed at this juncture. 

What's more, the Phillies simply need to wait for their stars to return from the disabled list. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was quoted in a CSNPhilly.com report saying he didn't believe Ryan Howard would be able to return before the end of June, but it seems like July 13, when the team returns from the All-Star break, is a reasonable estimate as to when the star slugger will return. 

Second baseman Chase Utley is on his way back from a knee injury, making progress in rehab assignments in the Phillies extended spring training. 

A tweet from David Hale of The News Journal shows Utley is progressing just fine: 

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Utley was DH in extended spring today. 3-for-4 w/ HR & 2B

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"— David Hale (@DavidHaleTNJ) June 4, 2012"

Add in the recent injury to ace Roy Halladay who, according to Rotoworld.com via the Philadelphia Inquirer, has a realistic six- to-eight-week timetable to return, and you'll realize patience must be the top priority for the Phillies. 

While the disappointing start to the season should be a bit worrying, one has to expect Philadelphia will be fine when their stars return. There's no need for Youkilis right now , and chances are, there will never be a legitimate reason they should trade for him. 

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