Boston Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis has been the subject of trade talks for quite some time now and it looks like the Los Angeles Dodgers are among the final teams trying to get their hands on the veteran and two-time World Series champion, according to various sources.
The Chicago White Sox are considered to be first in line for Youkilis' services but the Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks have all been mentioned as possible landing spots.
Youkilis - who is batting .225/.311/359 with four home runs in 41 games this season - has seen his playing time decrease recently, a decision Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine made that didn't exactly make Youkilis smile from ear to ear.
"He doesn't necessarily totally agree with it and doesn't wake up in the morning and hope that's the case, but I think the professional person that Kevin is, he understands it," Valentine said. "Yes, I think he's fine."
Here's what True Blue LA had to say about the rumors surrounding Youkilis:
Youkilis hasn't played since Wednesday and Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine told him last night he would be sitting more often in favor of rookie Will Middlebrooks, per Tony Lee of ESPN Boston. Both Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe and Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reported that Red Sox officials met Friday to discuss the roster changes with a potential Youkilis trade, with Abraham noting a trade could come as soon as Saturday.
For more on the possibility of Youkilis joining the Dodgers, visit True Blue LA.