Kevin Youkilis to White Sox: Trade Allows Will Middlebrooks to Step in and Shine

Kevin Youkilis will be trading in his pair of red socks for some white ones.

The former Boston Red Sox star was traded to the Chicago White Sox along with cash for pitcher Zach Stewart and utility player Brent Lillibridge, according to ESPN's Jim Bowden:

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Red Sox have traded Kevin Youkilis and cash to White Sox for Zach Stewart and Brent Lillibridge confirmed.

— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) June 24, 2012"

There are plenty of people talking about how this benefits the White Sox on the field and the Red Sox off of it, but the latter team will benefit on the field as well.

It's addition by subtraction. That's not meant as a knock on Youkilis either. He was long seen as the consummate professional and hustle player that so many teams long for on their roster, but his exit opens a door for a young star-in-the-making at Fenway Park.

The everyday incorporation of Will Middlebrooks into the third base spot will do wonders for the Red Sox.

If you have not yet remembered the name, do so now. It's a catchy one, but Middlebrooks will be remembered for his play rather than his surname.

Youkilis' presence on the field has prevented Middlebrooks from getting the necessary playing time to continue on his accelerated learning curve.

"Youk" reportedly has done wonders for Middlebrooks in playing the role of mentor. Middlebrooks made these comments when asked if Youkilis had helped him, according to the Chicago Tribune:

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"Words can't even explain it. He's taken me under his wing and showed me the ways and really made me comfortable."

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The role of mentor can only be extended for so long. Middlebrooks is clearly ready after his time as an understudy and will step into the lineup everyday and continue to impress Red Sox faithful.

In his last six games, Middlebrooks has 10 hits, 10 RBI, six runs and three homers in 16 at-bats. The 23-year-old Texas native is hitting .326 with nine homers and 34 RBI on the season.

There is always the possibility—and likelihood—that the opposition will discover the holes in Middlebrooks approach. That may lead to a decrease in average and his cooling off in the coming games.

There is also a possibility that won't happen. The advantage that Middlebrooks will be afforded by receiving regular playing time will help him more than the increased exposure will help opposing pitchers.

If you're not sold on this kid yet, listen to these numbers: his batting average is 67 points higher than the rest of the league would have had in the same parks that he has played in. His slugging percentage of .583 is 166 points higher than what the rest of the league would be hitting in those same parks. Most impressive of all, his OPS of .949 is 205 points higher than what other hitters would be hitting if they had played in the same parks as him (h/t to baseballreference.com for the stats).

That sounds confusing, but here's what it means: Middlebrooks' numbers are far better than what the rest of the hitters in the league would have put up at Fenway Park and all the other parks that Middlebrooks has played in this season.

This trade was a brilliant move by the Red Sox. Not because I'm buying that Youkilis was the one to bring the "toxic" label to the Boston locker room, but because I'm buying that his departure will result in Middlebrooks' rapid ascent to being known as one of the best young third basemen in the league.