"The Dodgers, Phillies and Diamondbacks are among teams showing early interest in longtime Red Sox star Kevin Youkilis, according to people familiar with the situation.

Although one Red Sox person called talks "very preliminary'' to this point, others familiar with their thinking say the Red Sox envision an eventual need to trade him, barring more injuries.

Red Sox people are telling others they'd require something of value back for Youkilis, but word is their demands would lessen if an acquiring team is willing to pay the $9-million-plus remaining on his contract that pays $12 million this year and carries a $1 million buyout on his $13-million 2013 option.