Red Sox GM Ben Cherington recently told reporters that the Red Sox will not be “sellers” as the team approaches the trade deadline. Cherington told a group of reports, including WEEI’s Rob Bradford:

I don’t envision a scenario where we’re sellers, in the traditional sense of the word. We have some potential surplus in areas we’ve talked to teams about, and maybe there was ways that could help us now and in the future. But every year in Boston is too important. We’re focused on winning this year, and still believe we can.

I don’t think blowing it up makes sense for where we are. There’s a lot of talent on the team. We’re right in the thick of the wild card chase. We’ve played very well since the beginning of May aside from the last week. I just think it would be foolish to start doing things that got in the way of giving us a chance this year. We’ll see how it goes. Like I said, we have to play well. We have to start winning games.

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington

It seems very reasonable not to expect a fire sale any time soon, and just as reasonable not to expect the Red Sox to ship youth and prospects out for an established player in an effort to make a run at the World Series. There are, however, plenty of options in between the reaches of that spectrum that could help the Red Sox retool without jeopardizing their future. While the rumor mill is relatively quiet at his point, the few rumors out there suggest that Cherington is actually practicing what he is preaching. The Red Sox aren’t actively shopping any of their star players, and they do seem interested in turning positions of surplus into players that can help the positions of need.

Here are some of the more recent rumors floating around concerning the Red Sox:

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Jacoby Ellsbury will be activated tomorrow, July 13th. He has been on the disabled list since dislocating his shoulder while sliding into second base on April 13th. Last year’s MVP runner-up, Ellsbury had played in just 7 games prior to sustaining the injury, and had less-than-stellar production.

Ellsbury’s return will further crowd the outfield which consists of guys like Daniel Nava, Cody Ross and Ryan Sweeney and Ryan Kalish on the 40 man roster. As the team expects Carl Crawford back at some point soon, there has been much speculation as to whether an outfielder will be traded. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe suggested that Sweeney may be that player, yet Mike Silverman of the Boston Herald has said that the team is not looking to move Sweeney. Daniel Nava has also caught the attention of other teams.

Hey ladies, I’m back!

UPDATE: Justin Germano has been designated for assignment to make room for Jacoby Ellsbury on the roster. The 29 year old right hander made just one appearance for the Boston Red Sox this year; a sterling 5.2 innings pitched in mop up duty against the Yankees during which he allowed no runs while striking out 7.

According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, Kevin Youkilis has been traded to the Chicago White Sox. His nameplate is gone, which is clear writing on the wall.

No word on who is coming back in the deal, this post will be updated once the full trade is disclosed.

Update 5:01 PM ET:  Apparently the Red Sox will receive a pitcher and a utility player in return from the White Sox. No word on who yet.

Update 5:08 PM ET: It seems as if the Red Sox will recieve pitcher Zach Stewart from the White Sox. No word on the utility player they’re expected to get as well.

Update 5:12 PM ET: According to Gordon Edes over at ESPN Boston, the Red Sox will receive Zach Stewart, and that’s it. He doesn’t think we’ll be getting any more than that.

Update 5:18 PM ET: Jon Heyman at CBS Sports saying that Brent Lillibridge is included in the trade too. Yay!

Update 5:25 PM ET: Ken Rosenthal has the scoop “Youkilis and cash – lots of cash – to #WhiteSox for Lillibridge and Stewart. #RedSox.”

Update 5:30 PM ET: The Red Sox will send the White Sox $5.5 million.

Update 5:47 PM ET: Trade is now official. Best of luck Youk!

According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, Kevin Youkilis is expected to be traded soon. Red Sox officials had a meeting last night discussing the roster moves they’ll have to make once Youkilis is traded.

So far this season, Youk is hitting .225/.311/.359 with four home runs and seven doubles in 41 games for the Red Sox. He’s been dealing with injuries all year, and has struggled mightily at the plate.

On the other hand, Will Middlebrooks is hitting .319/.358/.558 with eight home runs and nine doubles in 39 games for the Red Sox. That’s the reason the Red Sox are trading Youkilis. The Red Sox obviously don’t think keeping Adrian Gonzalez in right is a good idea, and the best lineup right now is one with Middlebrooks in it.

The White Sox and the Dodgers are two of the primary teams in the mix for Youkilis. The Diamondbacks were in contention for Youk, but balked with the Red Sox asked for outfielder Gerardo Parra.

I’ll update this post as the story develops. Stay tuned.

Update 11:44 PM ET: According to WEEI, the White Sox are front-runners for Youkilis right now and they are currently in trade talks with the Red Sox.

Danny Knobler from CBSSports reports that the Boston Red Sox are telling teams that they “definitely intend to trade Kevin Youkilis.”

The emergence of young third baseman Will Middlebrooks has made Youkilis dispensable, especially given Youkilis’ injuries over the past few years. Youkilis, who for many years has been a very important part of the Boston lineup, has struggled since moving back to third base defensively. He is hitting just .250/.318/.406 this year, though he has looked better since coming off the disabled list.

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Dodgers have stepped up their scouting of Kevin Youkilis. The Phillies and Indians have scouted him too, and the White Sox, Reds, Diamondbacks, Giants and Rangers have all reportedly expressed interest as well. The Red Sox are in the market for pitching

Aside from David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis is the only other remaining member from the 2004 Champion Red Sox team.

The Red Sox, who have won 7 of their last 9 games, were very likely inspired to play better ball by a player’s only meeting called by David Ortiz. During the meeting, the positional player’s reportedly called out the pitchers, requesting that the pitchers perform better. Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports reported that the two sides became aggressive towards each other. However, the meeting appeared to have a positive effect on the team as the Red Sox reeled off 5 consecutive wins in the aftermath.

For Red Sox fans who were concerned about the fortitude of this Red Sox team, this is a great thing to see. Even though this team has more than it’s fair share of holes, it’s filled with too much talent to be in last place and below .500.

It seems as if the Red Sox are finally coming together as a team, which is something that is essential with this group. With all of the concerns with this Red Sox team not having much chemistry, this is welcome news to hear.

According to Maureen Mullen at CSNNE, Will Middlebrooks is on his way to Boston right now according to a source.

The Red Sox have yet to announce anything, so nothing is official yet. He may just be traveling to Boston just in case Kevin Youkilis is placed on the DL, though Middlebrooks coming to Boston suggests the Red Sox are not optimistic about Youkilis’s health and ability to play.

Should Middlebrooks be added to the major league roster today, he’d likely be in the lineup tonight and he would not be on the bench for obvious reasons. Nick Punto obviously isn’t going to cut it as the Red Sox starting 3rd baseman (even with his 3 walks last night), and Middlebrooks’s has been hitting well enough to earn a starting spot.