He’s become one of the most popular players on the team. A young prospect fighting his way into a lineup filled with multimillion dollar superstars. A former Sea Dog who was coveted by Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane, who infamously dubbed him “The Greek God of Walks.”

As we all know by now, Kevin Youkilis is not Greek. And he might not be a member of the Boston Red Sox come April.

In 2004, Youkilis played 72 games for the World Champs. He made a memorable big-league debut on May 15, hitting a home run off Pat Hentgen in Toronto (only to be ignored by the entire bench upon his return. Welcome to the Bigs, kid.)

He survived with the big club for the next five months, despite constant rumors that the team wanted him playing every day in Pawtucket. He got a World Series bonus share that was greater than his 2004 salary, and used it to buy a house in Arizona. He met the President on March 2, and will get a ring in April.

Youkilis, who turns 26 Tuesday, just might get it in Pawtucket.

“If he’s sitting for 28 of the first 30 days, are you doing him any justice?” asked manager Terry Francona. “And then, when you need him to play, is he ready to help you? That’s my concern. I’m not saying we’re sending him to Triple A, because he has a great chance to make our club, but that is the concern I have.”

It was a concern the Sox had all of last year, but Youkilis managed to stick. This year, he arrived in Fort Myers with two gloves – he’s been spending some time at first base, giving the Sox another option at that spot. He was on the receiving end of the triple play started by Hanley Ramirez in last Sunday’s game against Philadelphia.

“First day, triple play,” Youkilis told NESN after the game. “Hopefully, that’s a sign of things to come.”

There’s no question where Youkilis thinks he should be this year. Where would you rather spend your time: New York, Tampa, and Chicago or Rochester, Syracuse, and Scranton?

“I can only do what I can do,” said Youkilis. “Some other guys battling for spots haven’t really been seen (by Boston’s management.) I’m a little lucky. They got to see me last year when I was playing for the Red Sox. They know what I can do here.”

They also know it’s a numbers game. Do the math. The following players are locks to make the team: Jason Varitek, Doug Mirabelli, Kevin Millar, David Ortiz, Mark Bellhorn, Edgar Renteria, Bill Mueller, Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, Trot Nixon, and Jay Payton. Ramon Vazquez has more experience and can play more positions than Youkilis, giving him the first nod as utility infielder. That’s a total of 12 position players. Assuming the Sox go with 11 pitchers, that leaves two roster spots available.

Youkilis will battle for one of those spots along with first basement David McCarty and Roberto Petagine, and outfielders Adam Hyzdu, Adam Stern, and George Leombard.

Petagine is injured and will miss at least a month of the regular season. That means five men are fighting for two spots. Stern is an interesting player: he was a Rule V pickup from Atlanta, and the Braves want him back. If the Sox don’t keep him on the major-league roster he’ll return to his original team. That gives him an inside shot as a fifth outfielder.

Earlier this week, Francona admitted that Youkilis was no McCarty (or the departed Doug Mientkiewicz) defensively. With Kevin Millar your starting first baseman, you’d probably want a strong defensive backup for late-inning substitutions.

That said, Bill Mueller’s knee appears to be healed, but it’s still an ongoing concern. Vazquez can fill in at third, but Youkilis has spent more time there.

Bottom line? It’s no guarantee that Youkilis will be there when the championship banner goes up at Fenway April 11th. While the Sox still think he’ll be a long-term factor with the club, he might be squeezed out in the short-term.

Lewiston native Tom Caron is a NESN analyst for Red Sox and Bruins telecasts.