Sox and Youk agree to four year, $40 mil deal

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3835955

 

 

The Red Sox locked up another of their young stars to a long-term deal Thursday.

 

Boston avoided arbitration with Kevin Youkilis, agreeing to a four-year contract with the first baseman worth more than $40 million, sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons. The deal includes an option for a fifth year.

 

 

Youkilis enjoyed a breakout season in 2008, hitting .312 with 29 home runs and 115 RBIs.

 

Earlier this offseason, Boston signed second-baseman Dustin Pedroia to a long-term deal. The American League MVP received a six-year contract worth $40.5 million.

 

Happy happy joy joy.

[diony]

Youk is not so smart.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

And I could not give a f***.

[jacksonianmarch]

It buys out his first 2 yrs of FA if the option is picked up. He had 3 more yrs of arb remaining.

[jacksonianmarch]

Youk is not so smart.

 

it depends. If he regresses back to his career norms then its a steal of him. A 1b who can OPS .830 and hit 15 homers is not worth 10 mil a yr. If he continues to punish AL pitching like he did last yr, then the sox just got a steal

[WhiskeyBreath]

Is it official?

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Is it official?

According to Gammons its agreed upon.

[Dojji]

Great great news

[Cocos Disciples]

Good stuff. I don't know why anyone would sign an extension with this market, but I'm happy.

[MANNYHOF24]

Very good deal, for both sides really. Hopefully Jason Bay will be next.

[WhiskeyBreath]

I'm loving the years and money.

[BoSox21]

Youk is not so smart.

 

he likes Boston and he has a guaranteed salary for the next 4 years, why is that not smart?

[YanksHater213]

After the Yankees shelled out hundreds of millions of dollars, theses deals look amazing... 80.5 for 4 and 6 years respectively? s***, that's a big steal.

[italstallianion]

I'm actually hoping that Lester is next, if he's eligible for one. That said, I do hope that an extension can be worked out with Bay.

[WhiskeyBreath]

I'm actually hoping that Lester is next' date=' if he's eligible for one. That said, I do hope that an extension can be worked out with Bay.[/quote']

 

I think Lester is arbitration eligible for 2010-2012 so I expect them to start working out a deal probly after this season.

[a700hitter]

When would he have been eligible for free agency?

[WhiskeyBreath]

2011

[a700hitter]

2011

He would have been eligible for FA before or after the 2011 season?

[example1]

He would have been eligible for FA before or after the 2011 season?

 

Youk was arb eligable in 2009 and 2010, then would have been a FA.

 

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2004/12/boston-red-sox.html

[JimEdHOF2009]

it depends. If he regresses back to his career norms then its a steal of him. A 1b who can OPS .830 and hit 15 homers is not worth 10 mil a yr. If he continues to punish AL pitching like he did last yr' date=' then the sox just got a steal[/quote']

 

If he continues to do what he did last year... he produces the same numbers(actually, 3 more EBH's) and is $13 mill cheaper per year than than Tex...and the Sox get him in his actual PRIME years-- while the Yankees pay Tex $23 mill for a couple years PAST his prime.. The Red Sox are so much more efficient than the Yankees it is actually funny.. I cannot wait to see this season play out...

 

MVP Dustin Pedroia and Youkilis wrapped up in their prime for $10 mill per each? WOW.

[JimEdHOF2009]

he likes Boston and he has a guaranteed salary for the next 4 years' date=' why is that not smart?[/quote']

 

This has and WILL always be the MANTRA of Yankee fans around the World. If you don't sell out and take the most money to be on the NEW YORK YANKEES...you are a moron!

 

Maybe it is that Youkilis has won 2 World Series Titles and wants to be on the only team in baseball who has done that in the new millenium? Maybe he likes it in Boston and knows he will never be more beloved than he is right now in Beantown? Maybe..just maybe it isn't always about Squeezing every last red-cent out of a club?

 

It is quite refreshing if you ask me.

[diony]

If he continues to do what he did last year... he produces the same numbers(actually' date=' 3 more EBH's) and is $13 mill cheaper per year than than Tex....[/quote']

 

If that makes you feel better about the Sox failing to sign Tex, then ok :thumbsup:

[BSN07]

Nice sign for the Sox. I'm glad to see the core being locked up.

 

Theres multiple players I would like to see extended.

[example1]

I'm amazed that despite spending all of their resources trying to woo Mark Teixeira to Boston, and failing badly in the process, they were able to switch tracks at any point and not only scout Smoltz in mid-December, but also come to an agreement with Youkilis a few weeks later. Maybe if they hadn't spent so much time on Teixeira they could have accomplished a lot more, like signing Pedroia to a long term deal too. Stupid front office and their mismanaged time!

[CrespoBlows]

Good stuff. I don't know why anyone would sign an extension with this market' date=' but I'm happy.[/quote']

 

Because there won't be any serious economic growth for a long time.

 

Youk was smart taking this deal. The FA market should be much worse in 2009.

[redsoxrules]

IMO Youk got a sweet deal considering what Pedroia got

[ikesailor78]

This can't be considered anything but a great deal for Youk and the Sox. Youk is a gold glove first baseman that gives the team a rare opportunity to switch him to 3rd base or the outfield if needed. There are not many first baseman that put up his numbers, have his defensive skills in different position and have his pride in the game. I am thrilled to have this deal done, now if only he could catch too.

[jacksonianmarch]

Well, I think Youkilis took this payday knowing he might not get another chance. And for a guy who had such an abnormal season like Youk did, it makes sense. Look at his career. Throughout his minor league and his first couple MLB yrs, he was a low to mid .800s OPS guy mostly based upon his walks. Then, this past yr, his walks trail a bit but he finds a massive reservoir of power out of the blue. Is it roids? Or is it a fluke season. I think its a fluke to be honest with you. And by Youkilis taking this deal, it shows me that he thinks it was a fluke as well. Otherwise, if he was convinced he could put up 27 homers in a yr again and a .900+ OPS, then he would have taken his chances.

[redsoxrules]

Well' date=' I think Youkilis took this payday knowing he might not get another chance. And for a guy who had such an abnormal season like Youk did, it makes sense. Look at his career. Throughout his minor league and his first couple MLB yrs, he was a low to mid .800s OPS guy mostly based upon his walks. Then, this past yr, his walks trail a bit but he finds a massive reservoir of power out of the blue. Is it roids? Or is it a fluke season. I think its a fluke to be honest with you. And by Youkilis taking this deal, it shows me that he thinks it was a fluke as well. Otherwise, if he was convinced he could put up 27 homers in a yr again and a .900+ OPS, then he would have taken his chances.[/quote']

 

[Dipre]

It's jacko, what can you expect?

 

And as much as i hate to admit it, there is certainly some truth to his claim.