White Sox acquire All-Star Kevin Youkilis and cash from Boston in exchange for Brent Lillibridge and Zach Stewart

June 24, 2012

The Chicago White Sox have acquired three-time American League All-Star Kevin Youkilis and cash considerations from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for infielder Brent Lillibridge and right-handed pitcher Zach Stewart.

Youkilis, 33, is a career .286 (959-3,348) hitter with 239 doubles, 133 home runs, 563 RBI and 594 runs scored in 952 games over nine seasons with the Red Sox (2004-12). The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder owns a .388 on-base percentage and a .487 slugging percentage during his career.

Youkilis is hitting .225 (32-142) with four home runs and 13 RBI in 41 games this season, appearing in 32 games at third base and 13 at first. He was on the disabled list from 5/2-21 with lower back tightness.

In six seasons from 2006-11, Youkilis averaged .292 with 36 doubles, 20 home runs, 84 RBI, 87 runs scored, a .392 on-base and .500 slugging percentage. During that span, he led the AL in hit by pitch (80), ranked third in on-base percentage and pitches per plate appearance (4.31), sixth in walks (433) and seventh in OPS (.893) and doubles (221).

Among his career honors, Youkilis is a three-time AL All-Star (2008-09, 2011), was named the 2008 Hank Aaron Award winner for the AL, given annually to the best overall offensive performer in each league, and received the Rawlings Gold Glove Award^® in 2007 as a first baseman. He set major-league records at first base with 238 consecutive errorless games and 2,002 total chances from 2006-08 (both since broken).

Youkilis was a member of Red Sox World Championship teams in 2004 and 2007 and is a .306 (34-111) hitter with six home runs and 17 RBI in 29 career playoff games. He ranks among the club’s all-time postseason leaders in numerous categories.

Lillibridge, 28, is hitting .175 (11-63) with no home runs, two RBI and seven stolen bases in 48 games this season. He was acquired from Atlanta on December 5, 2008 as part of a six-player trade and batted .217 (96-442) with 15 home runs and 50 RBI over 255 games in three-plus seasons with the White Sox.

Stewart, 25, went 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA (20 ER/30.0 IP) in 18 games (one start) with the White Sox this season. He was acquired from Toronto on July 27, 2011 with pitcher Jason Frasor in exchange for pitcher Edwin Jackson and infielder Mark Teahen.