The Boston Red Sox have traded infielder Kevin Youkilis to the Chicago White Sox for utilityman Brent Lillibridge and right-hander Zach Stewart. The AL Central-leading White Sox, who also receive cash in the deal, have been looking for a third baseman with Brent Morel plagued by back problems. ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney is reporting the Red Sox will pick up all but $2 million of what is owed to Youkilis. The Red Sox will pay the White Sox $5.5 million, according to ESPNChicago.com’s Bruce Levine.

The Red Sox had to unload Youkilis, but Zach Stewart and Brent Lillibridge? Yikes. Kevin Youkilis was a key cog to the end of the curse in Boston. I do believe Sox Nation will miss Youk, but if this isn’t a revelation to the sad state of affairs for Youk I don’t know what is. I still think Bobby Valentine was the biggest mistake in the history of baseball. Just wait….