Kevin Youkilis hit three doubles, and Dustin Pedroia, Jed Lowrie, and Jason Bay all added doubles of their own in the 8-4 victory over Texas.
Jon Lester earned the win on 7 1/3’s innings pitched, three runs (all earned), one walk, and six strikeouts.
Loading ...
Absolutely love it. Youk stated in ST that one of his prime goals is to end the season batting .300. With 75% of the season over, his projected 2nd half swoon is just that; a mere projection based on his rookie and sophomore year efforts. He has matured into a real hitter, just entering his prime, who could also give us 30HR and 110RBI every year. Tonite’s lineup is really potent: JD, Pedroia, Papi, Youk, Bay, Lowrie, Casey, Tek, Coco/Ells. Ells in the #9 spot enhances the start of the order. 4 more home games, with Byrd, Bay, Casey, Bailey, Pauley, should be fun.
To me, I do the Josh Hamilton thing and trade Youk now. Even if he is entering his prime, the chance that he has hit his peak makes a move all the more important. If we can get a stud catcher, do it, and sign Teix.
I agree Sean … but that catcher better be a STUD … as in sure-fire … losing Youk’s offense for the next 3-4 years would be a blow (getting Tex would obviously erase that issue … but we are gonna pay through the nose … thats if someone else doesn’t outbid us) … yeah IMO it’d be a good move that would help us long-term … but we’d have to KNOW it was gonna help us long-term to give up short-term … you know what I mean
If you trade Youk now you don’t lose his offense for 3-4 years. Either you sign Tex, or Lars Anderson takes over. in 3-4 years Lars could be a better player than Youk and he’s a .300/.450/.600 guy at age 20.
Why the hell would you want to trade Youk, a guy who play both corners plus some outfield, for Josh Hamilton who you do not know if he will put up those kind of numbers again. Youkilis has been more consistent and can play many valuable infield positions.
No way I trade Youkilis because right now it only looks as if he is going to get better.
I don’t think he’s saying trade Youk for Hamilton. I think he’s saying it might be smart for the Sox to trade Youk at a high value much like the Red did with Hamilton (that trade worked out well for both parties)
And I’d disagree with him getting too much better, he’ll be 29 next year so he should have one or two more seasons like this max, but probably not better. Tex’s numbers this year were depressed somewhat by playing at Turner Field, in my book he’s definitely a better player than Youkilis.