YES Network.com

One the Yankees’ biggest rivals of the last decade is leaving the American League East, as Kevin Youkilis has been traded from the Red Sox to the White Sox.

In addition to the three-time All-Star, the White Sox will receive cash in exchange for 25-year-old right-hander Zach Stewart and 28-year-old utilityman Brent Lillibridge.

The trade came down during Sunday’s game, which saw Boston defeat Atlanta 9-4.Following an eighth-inning triple, Youkilis was pulled from the game and replaced with Nick Punto, marking the end of his Red Sox career. The veteran infielder was showered with admiration from fans and former teammates as he left the field.

In his nine seasons with the Red Sox, Youkilis posted a .286 average with 133 home runs, 563 RBI and most importantly two World Series rings. Despite his success, however, the cult hero became expendable with the emergence of rookie sensation Will Middlebrooks. In 40 games this season, Middlebrooks is batting .331 with nine home runs and 33 RBI.