Daily Red Sox Links: Kevin Youkilis, Scott Atchison, Daniel Bard

Yesterday, the Red Sox continued their winning ways, taking two out of three from the Braves after a 9-4 victory at Fenway. However, the big story came immediately after the game, when rumors started swirling that Boston had made their long-awaited trade of veteran third baseman Kevin Youkilis. The rumors ended up being true, and Youkilis will be playing the remainder of the season for the White Sox. The Red Sox will get RHP Zach Stewart and utility man Brent Lillibridge in return. As sad as it is to see a longtime fan favorite leave the team, it was a necessary move to provide stability for this lineup, and get rookie Will Middlebrooks consistent at bats.

• In what was an emotional moment, the trade seemed imminent when Youkilis was called off the field for a pinch runner in the eighth. In the end, says C. Trent Rosecrans, it was the perfect sendoff. (C. Trent Rosecrans; CBS Eye On Baseball)
• Bobby Valentine really deserves some credit for shuffling his lineup everyday, finding a way to get everyone as much playing time as possible. GM Ben Cherington echoed that, and explained this was the main reason the trade had to be done. (Tony Lee; ESPNBoston)
• Since Stewart and Lillibridge are far from well-known stars in this league, we look to Kevin Dillon for some insight into what each can provide this Red Sox team for the rest of the season. (Kevin Dillon; WEEI.com)
• While it's not nearly as unanimous here in Boston, it seems everyone in Chicago is 100% on board with this deal. And with good reason, considering the White Sox's putrid production from the hot corner this season. (Phil Rogers; Chicago Tribune)

Continue reading after the jump for some non-trade news from around the Red Sox blogosphere.

• While he may not be an All-Star, one of my personal favorites Scott Atchison has been a vital part of this Red Sox bullpen all season long, and deserves recognition. (Brian MacPherson; Providence Journal)
• I know this may come as a shock to some, but I do get things wrong sometimes (read: often). It happened again, when Daniel Bard's experiment as a starter came to an end as a failure, and he and the team agreed to shift his role back into the bullpen. (John Tomase; Boston Herald)
• Don't look now, but the Red Sox are starting to get in a groove. And as Kyle Moulding points out, they are also just starting to regain health. Things may be falling into place for this team. (Kyle Moulding; New England Sports News Blog)