Kevin Youkilis and the Chicago White Sox: 10 Days After the Trade

It has been 10 games since Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams acquired third baseman Kevin Youkilis from the Boston Red Sox for Zach Stewart and Brent Lillibridge.

What a 10 days it has been.

If the first three series are an indication of things to come, then MLB reporter Scott Merkin is right when he tweeted Wednesday that this may be the “best trade ever made by Williams."

Since being traded to the White Sox, Youkilis is batting .309 with two home runs, 10 RBI’s and several stellar plays in the field. 

Oh yeah, he had a walk-off single in extra innings on Wednesday and hit the game winning home run in the sixth inning Thursday against the Texas Rangers.

Beyond the stats, however, is the presence he brings to the clubhouse. Manager Robin Ventura, in a piece Merkin wrote for the White Sox, called his intense style of play “infectious,” and that’s “a good thing for our guys to see in a guy who has been a winner.”

In other words, Youkilis brings an intensity and track record to the White Sox that was missing. 

Nothing against Paul Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski, Jake Peavy and the rest of the team, but the infusion of Youkilis into the lineup and the clubhouse has had a tangible effect on everyone.

There is no denying that the White Sox are a different ballclub since Youk arrived. After a series win against the Minnesota Twins and a split with the New York Yankees, the White Sox came home and swept the first place Rangers. No doubt, the Sox are significantly better with Youkilis on the roster.

When Williams pulled the trigger on the Youkilis trade, he signaled to the fans that he meant to win now. He also told his team that he has faith in the core, faith in his manager, faith in the coaching staff and faith that Youkilis is the piece to bring it all together.

So far, his faith is paying off, and a 7-3 record since the trade is evidence to that fact.

@suggestsmith