The Red Sox have found their future third baseman in Will Middlebrooks so what is in store for Kevin Youkilis? His days in Boston are numbered but there is a chance his place of employment could be in a very familiar place.
When it comes to finding a new job opportunity timing is everything, and the door has opened in Cincinnati when Scott Rolen was placed on the disabled list Saturday with a strained shoulder. Rolen is hurting the Reds, more than helping, after starting the season batting .174 with only two home runs and 11 RBIs in his 17th season. Rolen has had a long and successful career but now it is time to move aside for the good of the team and let the hometown Youkalis assume the third base position and help the struggling Reds offense.
Youkilis is a Cincinnati boy from Sycamore High School and graduated from the University of Cincinnati. He is part responsible for the new baseball field on the Cincinnati campus that was built a few years ago. It is just a perfect match. Who would not want the opportunity to play for their hometown team?
Reds manager Dusty Baker is in favor of placing a right-handed batter between Joey Votto and Jay Bruce in the lineup so Youkilis would be inserted in that spot and Brandon Phillips can be moved towards the front of the lineup. Phillips has a career .321 on-base percentage so he is best suited ahead of Votto in the lineup and not behind him.
Be prepared to see drastic changes to the production by adding one key ingredient and let another homegrown talent finish his career with his hometown team. Youkilis is a leader and will bring more to the clubhouse than just his on the field presence. It’s time for Rolen to move aside and let the Reds go after Youkilis because his time in Boston is over.
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