They need a 1st baseman right? Anything they could offer in return? Are there trade possibilities there?

are you asking if the reds need a first baseman?  don't they already have joey votto?

My first thought was Milwaukee, obviously, but I am not even sure what direction that team is headed, for reasons stated above.  The other obstacle might be that Youkilis makes that team even more right-handed than they already are, with their most dangerous left-handed hitter being Nyjer Morgan. 

I think San Francisco might be one candidate, since their 1B is probably going to be either the up-and-down Aubrey Huff or Brandon Belt (who as of today is probably their leading candidate for LF). 

If the idea is to move Youkilis for a SP, the Giants are not a great candidate.  Sure, Sabean will give you Zito and kiss you on the lips in the process, but their other candidates are wither too good for that deal, or too cheap for them to consider moving, especially with Cain’s impending free agency.  They mgith condsider Vogelsong, but they did recently extend him, and to me, he is far too much of a gamble.  While he was successful last year, the NL West had 3 of the 5 worst offenses in MLB and might not be the best barometer.  In Boston, in a smaller park, facing a DH, and seeing many more teams whose AAA lineups are more imposing than the Padres or Dodgers, Vogelsong would not be a good bet to duplicate 2011 if he were traded to the Sox.   Would he improve the Sox rotation? Probably, but probably not as much as Youkilis’ departure will hurt the lineup.  I think the Giants leave their pitching alone and hope Huff has one more good season left in him, and the teams don’t deal.

The only other team might be the Indians.  While the general consensus is that Detroit can start the season trying to set up their rotation for the playoffs, the Indians are in an odd spot, and had been making noises that they want to challenge.  They dealt their two top pitching prospects for Ubaldo Jimenez and acquired veteran Derek Lowe.  They certainly could use a right-handed bat since their current lineup has seven left-handed hitters and two switch hitters.  And 1B is currently being held by the underwhelming Matt LaPorta, who is probably their worst starter.  But what will the Indians give up?  The rights to Restricted List denizen Faux-sto Carmona?  Send Derek Lowe back?

Besides, if Youkilis is dealt, who plays 3B? Not that he is a great defensive option there, but do they go with Middlebrooks?  Do the Red Sox want try and compete with two rookies on the left side of the infield? And with no right-handed hitters in the heart of the lineup better than Cody Ross?  Or would Pedroia drop into the heart of the lineup?  I can see him hitting third, but fourth or fifth?  Is all that worth it for Vogelsong, Lowe, or a chance at Carmona/Hernandez, assuming he can straighten out his legal issues?

My first thought was Milwaukee, obviously, but I am not even sure what direction that team is headed, for reasons stated above.  The other obstacle might be that Youkilis makes that team even more right-handed than they already are, with their most dangerous left-handed hitter being Nyjer Morgan. 

I'm not sure we could get in return from the Brewers that they would be willing to part with.

I think San Francisco might be one candidate, since their 1B is probably going to be either the up-and-down Aubrey Huff or Brandon Belt (who as of today is probably their leading candidate for LF). 

If the idea is to move Youkilis for a SP, the Giants are not a great candidate.  Sure, Sabean will give you Zito and kiss you on the lips in the process, but their other candidates are wither too good for that deal, or too cheap for them to consider moving, especially with Cain’s impending free agency.  They mgith condsider Vogelsong, but they did recently extend him, and to me, he is far too much of a gamble.  While he was successful last year, the NL West had 3 of the 5 worst offenses in MLB and might not be the best barometer.  In Boston, in a smaller park, facing a DH, and seeing many more teams whose AAA lineups are more imposing than the Padres or Dodgers, Vogelsong would not be a good bet to duplicate 2011 if he were traded to the Sox.   Would he improve the Sox rotation? Probably, but probably not as much as Youkilis’ departure will hurt the lineup.  I think the Giants leave their pitching alone and hope Huff has one more good season left in him, and the teams don’t deal.

I'd love to find a way to pry Cain away and get him to extend, but we'd have to give up 2-3 prospects with Youk to even have a discussion.

The only other team might be the Indians.  While the general consensus is that Detroit can start the season trying to set up their rotation for the playoffs, the Indians are in an odd spot, and had been making noises that they want to challenge.  They dealt their two top pitching prospects for Ubaldo Jimenez and acquired veteran Derek Lowe.  They certainly could use a right-handed bat since their current lineup has seven left-handed hitters and two switch hitters.  And 1B is currently being held by the underwhelming Matt LaPorta, who is probably their worst starter.  But what will the Indians give up?  The rights to Restricted List denizen Faux-sto Carmona?  Send Derek Lowe back?

My thought on trading Youk is that the only teams that want him will probably only want to give up prospects, so a three-way deal seems to make the most sense (if a trade is to be made at all). Trade Youk to a contender, get 2-3 prospects (not all good ones), then flip and/or add to the list and make a trade to a team looking to dump salary (CWS-Floyd, Houston-Wandy, etc...)

Besides, if Youkilis is dealt, who plays 3B? 

Dealing Youk made more sense when we still had Lowrie and Scoot, but I suppose we could go with Iggy at SS (You know I'd love that) and use Aviles & Punto at 3B until Middlebrooks looks ready (if ever).

Not that he is a great defensive option there, but do they go with Middlebrooks?  Do the Red Sox want try and compete with two rookies on the left side of the infield? And with no right-handed hitters in the heart of the lineup better than Cody Ross?  Or would Pedroia drop into the heart of the lineup?  

Losing a healthy Youk would be a huge blow to our already somewhat unbalanced line-up, but I think Pedey could be a nice #4 hitter. In 133 career PAs, he has a 1.117 as a clean-up hitter. We could also put AGon 4th and Pedey 3rd, and use CC 2nd vs RHPs and Aviles vs LHPs.

I can see him hitting third, but fourth or fifth?  Is all that worth it for Vogelsong, Lowe, or a chance at Carmona/Hernandez, assuming he can straighten out his legal issues?

I'd say Vogelsong is the best bet, but you are right, he's a big gamble. Do you think we could trade Youk, Ranaudo, Bowden and Tejada for Cain and an extension?