After spending his entire career with the Boston Red Sox, it looks like Kevin Youkilis is going to the dark side.
FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal says Youkilis and the New York Yankees have agreed on a one-year, $12 million deal, which is pending a physical. Youkilis is expected to replace third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who had hip surgery and is expected to miss the first few months of the season.
Youkilis was drafted by the Red Sox in 2001 and he developed into a star with Boston. He was a three-time All-Star, won two World Series with the team, and he peaked in 2008 and 2009 when finished in the top six in AL MVP voting both years. And now he’s going to the Yankees.
The move is not as painful for Red Sox fans as it would have been had Youkilis played the entire 2012 season in Boston.
Youk was criticized by manager Bobby Valentine amid a horrible start to the season. After he returned from the disabled list, the Red Sox decided to trade him to the Chicago White Sox. He played half the season in Chicago and already had his “welcome back” game at Fenway Park.
What makes this different from a situation like Johnny Damon is that Youkilis was run out of town by Boston, whereas a player like Damon chose the Yankees over the Red Sox for more money.
Though Youkilis’ bat has been declining the past two seasons, he should be able to adequately fill a need for the Yankees. I think it’s a pretty good signing.
Photo Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE
