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

[jacksonianmarch]

Some truth? Last yr was totally out of character for him. To expect him to live up to that level through the rest of this contract is not grounded in reality. It could happen, but his career says that 2008 was more a deviation from the norm than the norm. Get my drift?

[Dipre]

Some truth? Last yr was totally out of character for him. To expect him to live up to that level through the rest of this contract is not grounded in reality. It could happen' date=' but his career says that 2008 was more a deviation from the norm than the norm. Get my drift?[/quote']

 

No.

 

There is "some" truth because you need to see what Youk does next year to call his season a fluke, since his numbers have increased year to year since he became a regular, you need to see what he actually does next year before actually passing judgement.

 

Don't get me wrong, the season seems fluke-ish, but we need to see him play next year to actually know if it was a fluke.

[example1]

Some truth? Last yr was totally out of character for him. To expect him to live up to that level through the rest of this contract is not grounded in reality. It could happen' date=' but his career says that 2008 was more a deviation from the norm than the norm. Get my drift?[/quote']

 

I just got the sense that Youkilis focused more on hitting his pitch rather than taking bad pitches. I don't think he'll replicate what he did last year, but I think he has improved as a hitter each year and that he absolutely controls at bats now--something that many MLB hitters don't do.

 

Maybe he took the deal because he doesn't think he'll replicate it, as Jacko would like to posit. Or, maybe because he had 2 years left before FA, he wanted to start putting money in the bank now and figured that it would be unrealistic to expec tthis level of production not only for two more arbitration seasons, but also for potential suitors to expect it for 4-5 years afterwards. I wouldn't be shocked in the slightest if Youk keeps up a similar value to 2008 throughout the duration of this contract.

[diony]

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']

 

I don't think so. According to an article I read at Fangraphs he might just had stopped being so patient at the plate, and now he's being more aggressive, that can explain the HRs. His ISO jumped from .165 to .257, that's a huge increase.

 

Let's check his BB% over the past few seasons.

 

2006: 13.8%

2007: 12.7%

2008: 10.3%

 

Less walks more power.

 

Now his #P/PA (# of pitches per plate appearance)

 

2006: 4.43

2007: 4.27

2008: 4.02

 

His Swing%

 

2006: 36.7%

2007: 39.5%

2008: 42.4%

 

He's not uber-patient anymore

.

Don't forget it was only his 3rd full season in the majors, and now he is entering his prime. I'm pretty sure we can expect some other 20 HR seasons from him.

 

Link to the article

[msubulldogs21]

Awesome. Love the deal.

 

Just for kicks, what do you think Cashman would've given Youk? 5/100? 6/120?

[riverside sluggers]

IN all that is holy, what a deal!! Much kudos to Theo for locking Pedroia and Yooouk up long term at such a bargain

[example1]

I don't think so. According to an article I read at Fangraphs he might just had stopped being so patient at the plate, and now he's being more aggressive, that can explain the HRs. His ISO jumped from .165 to .257, that's a huge increase.

 

Let's check his BB% over the past few seasons.

 

2006: 13.8%

2007: 12.7%

2008: 10.3%

 

Less walks more power.

 

Now his #P/PA (# of pitches per plate appearance)

 

2006: 4.43

2007: 4.27

2008: 4.02

 

His Swing%

 

2006: 36.7%

2007: 39.5%

2008: 42.4%

 

He's not uber-patient anymore

.

Don't forget it was only his 3rd full season in the majors, and now he is entering his prime. I'm pretty sure we can expect some other 20 HR seasons from him.

 

Link to the article

 

 

Nice post Diony. I haven't looked at that article yet, but that's what I meant when I said "I just got the sense that Youkilis focused more on hitting his pitch rather than taking bad pitches."

 

He was able to get into a lot of hitters' counts and hit the pitches pitchers were forced to throw. It's the same thing we've seen Manny and Ortiz do for the past few years, they hardly ever swing at a bad pitch or are truly 'fooled' by a pitch. I don't expect that to suddenly change.

[example1]

IN all that is holy' date=' what a deal!! Much kudos to Theo for locking Pedroia and Yooouk up long term at such a bargain[/quote']

 

For $81.75m the Sox got 11 potential seasons.

 

Youkilis

WARP

2006: 5.3

2007: 6.4

2008: 8.4

 

Pedroia

WARP

2007: 7.1

2008: 9.8

 

 

Let's say that through the primes of their careers these guys each average 7.2 wins each. That seems pretty conservative, but just for the hell of it. That's 79.2 marginal wins for $81.75m, or $1,032,196 per marginal win between 1B and 2B. Good deal.

[BSN07]

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']

 

Or he took the deal because he's a smart indvidual. He looked at the FA market, looked at the economy and decided to take the safer of the 2.

 

 

I think diony brings up a valid point. One that shows he's not completely blind by bias eyes.

 

 

 

Let's face it Jacko, you seemed to be upset that the Sox are able to sign players to what seems to be under market value, while your team has to continue to overpay and outspend everyone to bring talent to their ball club. Everytime the Sox make one of these moves, it's almost clockwork to see your " Debbie Downer " views and claims of the deal. It's an abnormality, it's a fluke, he has reached his physical limit ect, ect. It's getting old and tiresome, let alone predictable.

 

 

Youkiliis might be not be a Teixeira, but he can produce atleast 80% of what he does, and costs about 25% of what Teixeira does. And that's enough right there for me to think this is a good deal.

[BoSox21]

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']

 

Shut up.

 

His numbers have steadily gone up every year and last year was only his third full season in the majors. If he was a .280/15/80 guy just about every year for 10 years and then pulled that 2008 season out of his ass, you might have an argument but it just seems like you're trying to be douchy.

[riverside sluggers]

Or he took the deal because he's a smart indvidual. He looked at the FA market, looked at the economy and decided to take the safer of the 2.

 

 

I think diony brings up a valid point. One that shows he's not completely blind by bias eyes.

 

 

 

Let's face it Jacko, you seemed to be upset that the Sox are able to sign players to what seems to be under market value, while your team has to continue to overpay and outspend everyone to bring talent to their ball club. Everytime the Sox make one of these moves, it's almost clockwork to see your " Debbie Downer " views and claims of the deal. It's an abnormality, it's a fluke, he has reached his physical limit ect, ect. It's getting old and tiresome, let alone predictable.

 

 

Youkiliis might be not be a Teixeira, but he can produce atleast 80% of what he does, and costs about 25% of what Teixeira does. And that's enough right there for me to think this is a good deal.

 

Plus the fact that the Sox have a better scouting & drafting process

 

Hell by the 2011 the Sox could have an infield of homegrown talent-- Lars, Pedroia, Lowrie, Youkilis

 

With positional players for the Yankees, there is Cano and Cabrera who was sent down to Triple A this past season. Next offseason with Damon, Matsui and Nady all leaving they wil again have to turn to free agency

 

Shut up.

 

His numbers have steadily gone up every year and last year was only his third full season in the majors. If he was a .280/15/80 guy just about every year for 10 years and then pulled that 2008 season out of his ass, you might have an argument but it just seems like you're trying to be douchy.

 

He's just being a sour puss. 30/100, or even 20/75, either way the Sox locked up a solid player for 5 years/$53 million. I see Lester being locked up as well

[diony]

Or he took the deal because he's a smart indvidual. He looked at the FA market, looked at the economy and decided to take the safer of the 2.

 

Mark Teixeira?

[BSN07]

Mark Teixeira?

 

Youk.

[diony]

Youk.

 

I know, that wasn't the point. I don't think the economy had to do something with his decision. As you said, "he looked at the FA market", but what he saw was Mark Teixeira getting an AAV of 22.5 million on this market.

 

Youk accepted for the same reason every young player accepts a team friendly deal, he took the safe money even if it was less. He knows he might regress, and he wants to stay with the Sox.

[BSN07]

I know, that wasn't the point. I don't think the economy had to do something with his decision. As you said, "he looked at the FA market", but what he saw was Mark Teixeira getting an AAV of 22.5 million on this market.

 

Youk accepted for the same reason every young player accepts a team friendly deal, he took the safe money even if it was less. He knows he might regress, and he wants to stay with the Sox.

 

Thats a good way to sum it up.

[BSN07]

The Red Sox are also attempting to sign electric closer Jonathan Papelbon to a long-term deal, but they haven't been able to reach an agreement thus far

 

 

http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/hot_stove/posts/41421?eref=fromSI

 

 

I like the fact there trying.

 

 

 

If they can sign Papelbon and Lester long term, this will have been just as good an offseason as anyone could have hoped for.

[italstallianion]

Although I do kind of like the idea of 1 year deals with Papelbon. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have the longterm deal, but a 1 year deal will keep Papelbon on his toes because every year will in fact be a "contract year"

 

There are some players that need the fire under their butts and there are few better ways to do so other than a 1 year deal. Not like Papelbon needs any ancillary motivation or anything, but that's a benefit if he is still stubborn about the long year deal. I think Lester would be more open to a long term contract, and with Pedroia and Youk's extensions I too couldn't be much happier. We've fine tuned a few areas, had a few very low risk investments, didn't spend a lot and didn't give up a single draft pick.

 

Just one area remains...

[Dojji]

I really don't think that we need to worry too much about Papelbon being enthusiastic about his work.

[BSN07]

I really don't think that we need to worry too much about Papelbon being enthusiastic about his work.

 

That's the least of the concerns.

[TheKilo]

Fantastic deal from this FO - you take Youk at 4/40 before Teixeira at 8/180 every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

If they lock up Bay and Papelon in this offseason to longer-term deals then they've hit a home run.

[VAredsox434]

I'm glad to see that I will be cheering for YOUK for a long time to come. The Sox need to keep spending their money intelligently, and keep investing in their home-grown guys.

[Mr Crunchy]

Agreed, this is a much better deal for a player who can hit and field with texeira any day of the week, plus ya gotta like Youks attitude a little bit better, he plays the game like we wished they all played the game and is never satisfied or content with his production.

cheap too, great deal for theo and youk wont have to worry about his next meal anytime soon.

we got arguably the best lefty in lester,arguably the best closer in paps and arguably the best right handed postseason pitcher in history in beckett...Now lets get Elsbury back into hitting line drives and healthy power guys like ortiz and lowell and we dont have too many worries going into april with the brutal exception of Catcher, which is never an easy hole to fill.

Its safe to say that Veritek is gone forever and its also safe to say that Scott Borass has cost Manny and Tek 8 figures a piece

[rician blast]

Its safe to say that Veritek is gone forever and its also safe to say that Scott Borass has cost Manny and Tek 8 figures a piece

 

I'll be very interested in seeing if there is any fallout.

 

On the one hand, Teixeira scored a big deal, Lowe did damn well for himself, bu Manny and Tek are in limbo.

 

Doesn't Boras also represent Garret Anderson and I-Rod? Haven't heard of much interest in those guys.

[diony]

we got arguably the best lefty in lester,arguably the best closer in paps and arguably the best right handed postseason pitcher in history in beckett...

 

[riverside sluggers]

I'll be very interested in seeing if there is any fallout.

 

On the one hand, Teixeira scored a big deal, Lowe did damn well for himself, bu Manny and Tek are in limbo.

 

Doesn't Boras also represent Garret Anderson and I-Rod? Haven't heard of much interest in those guys.

 

Signed- Mark Teixeira (8 years/$180), Derek Lowe (4 years/$60), Felipe Lopez (1 year/$3.5 million), Willy Taveras (2 years/$6.25 million), Alex Cora (1 year/$2 million), Willie Bloomquist (2 years/$3 million)

 

Unsigned- Garret Anderson, Joe Crede, Eric Gagne, Andruw Jones, Byung-Hyun Kim, Rodrigo Lopez, Oliver Perez, Manny Ramirez, Ivan Rodriguez, Julian Tavarez, Jason Varitek, Ron Villone, Jeff Weaver, Brad Wilkerson

[BSN07]

 

It's not that far of a stretch to think Lester is a top LHP on the horizon. Papelbon is one of the best closers. And statistic wise Beckett is one of the top Post Season pitchers of all time.

[diony]

It's not that far of a stretch to think Lester is a top LHP on the horizon. Papelbon is one of the best closers. And statistic wise Beckett is one of the top Post Season pitchers of all time.

 

You fixed his post.

[example1]

 

It will be interesting to see how Lester matches up against guys like Sabathia and Santana as he moves forward. He's 25 next year, so he definitely has that going for him.

 

Mariano is a monster, but I don't know a single person (Yankee or Red Sox fan) who would want either of them as your closer. Papelbon will be 28 next year, so he's got the youth going for him like Lester does.

 

As far as Beckett, we all know what he's done in the postseason. Let's just hope he can come back to form this year.

[JimEdHOF2009]

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']

 

So you are SURE that Youks will revert back to a 15 HR 80 RBI Guy this year..is this what you are saying? I am sure it must be a wacked-out f***ing anomaly right? It couldn't be the fact that he went to the AZ insitute to work on his strength and bat-speed last winter..right? It couldn'tbe that he has changed his philosophy at the plate a bit to be more of a run producer? Nah..I am sure you are right...he is just an average ballplayer and finished higher in the MVP voting than your precious Teixeira EVER has.

 

You are a punk.. A FANBOY simpleton of the highest accord. I am sure you are so much brighter than Theo Epstein right? I am sure you know more than all of his staff..right? I am sure you are a better businessman then John Henry right?

 

Someone better call Henry and tell him what a f***ing jag-off he is for investing in such an ordinary player like Youkilis. I love feeling the Yankee jealousy! They spent $400 million on 3 players yet they are still 2nd fiddle to the Sox. I will bet my account the Sox finish AHEAD of the Yankees at season's end... And by ahead..I mean they will go farther in the playoffs. If neither team advances...then we go to best record. Do you accept my challenge Jackson?

 

I have confidence in the Sox and the ownership group. If people get hurt...they have the pieces to trade to fill whatever gaps exist.. The Yankees shot their wad...Once free agency ends and acquiring players is not SOLELY contingent on spending the most money...the Yankees simply cannot compete with the Red Sox in terms of trading prospects for the pieces they need for the stretch run.. The Yankees pushed all in pre-flop.. They better damn well stay healthy because a couple of key injuries could have them repeating as the biggest disappointment in all of Sports...a title they have held since 2001. The Sox get to see the rest of the cards before they go all-in..this is a tremendous advantage IMO.

[Redguitar985]

I think it's a good deal. I don't know if Youk will replicate the numbers he had in '08 over the next four years, but I do know he gained some stability last year which will help him. In '06 and '07, he was getting used to first base, being bounced around all over the batting order, and still getting accustomed to major league pitching. Last year, he found his rhythm. He looked good in that cleanup spot, and he could continue there next year. So I hope he can maintain what he did last year. He's in a good position to.