Changing Sox: Youkilis traded to Chicago

:  BOSTON -- Kevin Youkilis' Red Sox career ended Sunday at the spot he last called his own as a member of the Red Sox -- third base at Fenway Park.

Youkilis' final act with the only Major League organization he has known was a seventh-inning triple to right-center field, a knock he legged out with an extra gear in his final paces before -- what else -- getting dirty. There at the bag, Nick Punto pinch-ran and Youkilis walked off to a sold-out crowd's standing ovation and one last curtain call -- his farewell to the fans who adored him for almost every day of nine seasons and two World Series rings.

Youkilis was traded after a 9-4 win over the Braves to the White Sox for 28-year-old utility player Brent Lillibridge and 25-year-old righty Zach Stewart. Boston also sent about $5.6 million to the White Sox to cover the roughly $8 million Youkilis is still owed for this season.

"He's given everything he has in every game he's ever put on the Red Sox uniform," said Dustin Pedroia, a face of the team as Youkilis once was. "It's sad."

Youkilis traded: Complete coverage •   White Sox acquire Youkilis from Red Sox  •   Changing Sox: Youkilis dealt  •   Heir apparent handed reins in Boston  •   Justice: Trade works for all involved  •   Red Sox players say Youk will be missed  •   Youkilis' bio, statistics   Youk's final Red Sox at-bat  White Sox react to trade  Cherington discusses deal  Red Sox react to trade  Valentine on Youk's ovation  Williams discusses Youkilis trade  Lillibridge on being traded  Ventura on Youkilis trade

Youkilis was not in the clubhouse after the game and the nameplate above his locker had already been removed. Before the send-off, it was clear the 33-year-old's time here had run its course. Rookie Will Middlebrooks had taken Youkilis' at-bats, and the relationship between Youkilis and manager Bobby Valentine was deteriorating. While general manager Ben Cherington said the situation had not become untenable, Youkilis had expressed how unhappy he was with the team's lack of communication on Saturday.

Cherington said Sunday Youkilis knew for some time that trade talks were under way.

"You definitely had all the ups and downs," Youkilis said the day before of his time here. "I probably could describe it to you 10 years down the road better. When you're in it, you can't really describe the stuff you're in. Somebody is going to have to remind me. ... You see it all. To be continued, shall we say."

Jasper's thoughts:   "It's sad to see youk go, but it was also time for him to leave, with Middebrooks up the way he is, there was no room for Kevin [Youkilis] on the roster."