Youkilis at 1st for Boston in 2013?

[NYlove4BoSox]

If Bobby V is out, and 1st base is open, and there aren't great 1st basemen free agent options, aside from Napoli, then why hasn't there been any talk of Youk coming back to Boston?

I believe he's a free agent this winter. It seems logical to think that he's on the decline. It also seems better for him to be playing first, and a fresh start could turn him back in the right direction.

I'm not saying I love this idea, nor that I think it'll happen. It's just a thought.

[Spitball]

It has been discussed on a few threads. Here is one:

 

http://www.talksox.com/forum/talk-sox-forum/17012-addressing-first-base.html

[DocHolliday]

I love Youk, but I think that ship has sailed. Even in 2010, when V was with ESPN and Youk was 2 years younger and played 1B regularly, he only appeared in just over 100 games. He has averaged around 110 games over the last 3 seasons and his OPS has declined in each of the past 3 seasons from .975 in 2010 to just over .750 this year. With the way he plays and his age, he will need to transition into the DH role at some point in the near future if you want to get decent production out of him. Maybe you could sign him to play some first and fill in for David to keep him healthy and productive. But I doubt Youk wants that type of role, and will likely get offered a full time role at a corner IF spot with a team like Seattle.

 

With the protected first round pick, it makes a lot of sense to sign a guy like Mike Napoli to a 3 year $36 M deal with an option for a 4th year @ $10 M. Napoli has a similar plate approach to Youk and can catch some to boot. His swing is a perfect match for Fenway and he has the dirt dog mentality that Sox fans love. If he can be had for reasonable $ and years, he makes a lot of sense and becomes a logical replacement for Ortiz when he retires.

[Spitball]

Youk's market will be low because of injuries and poor production. He may not be the first choice but may work out to be the best match. If that is true, he will come at a one year discount.

[win red sox]

I wouldn't mind signing youk to a 1 year deal, but the front office should be focusing on young first basemen that are currently blocked at the major league level. There are three that come to mind 1) cj cron angels 2) tyler moore nationals 3) matt adams cardinals.

[jacksonianmarch]

Cron and Adams look like bashers with very limited patience. Moore might be the way to go, although he is going to be 26 and might actually be a starter for the Nats next yr if they cannot re-sign LaRoche. With the sox complete loss of the ability to walk and the bringing back of Bill James, I think you are going to see more guys like Youkilis circa 2005 and less guys like Konerko roaming the halls of Fenway

[Dojji]

I'd be game for it. I love Youk.

[mvp 78]

He hasn't really been much better with the ChiSox. There are way better options out there.

[Dojji]

I'm not so sure. I don't see a lot of options that bring a gold glove at first and a 100 OPS+ actually. Just don't overpay for what he used to be.

[ibot2much]

Youk's time in Boston is passed. If you brought him in as a utility player for the infield at low money maybe...but even then there are better choices. Once somebody shows that he doesn't like the situation , there is no returning...that goes for Francona sand Farrell....Stop already with the retreads.

[Brennan]

Great idea. We might as well bring back Beckett and Crawford too along with Farrell, Tito and Theo.

 

 

I can't believe how many fans want to go back to that mess. Youk put in some hard work and gave us some good years. Guess what? It's over Johnny, he's been declining for some time, appears to have aged physically beyond his years and more than a few times he has exhibited a primadonna attitude. Let's move on.

[rjortiz]

.777 OPS. Gomez could probably do that.

 

I'd rather them spend the coin on Napoli, or make a trade for Michael Morse.

[wyo-sox]

I wonder if we have $ and or players to get Kansas to part with Billy Butler. That would make a good first baseman in our lineup.

[cbbosox]

NO! one of my all-time favorite sox but he is past his prime.

[NYlove4BoSox]

I wonder if we have $ and or players to get Kansas to part with Billy Butler. That would make a good first baseman in our lineup.

 

I think they just extended him earlier this year. It would be nice, however.

[Spitball]

I think they just extended him earlier this year. It would be nice, however.

 

He is signed through 2015. The Royals have no reason to dump him at this point.

[rjortiz]

I wonder if we have $ and or players to get Kansas to part with Billy Butler. That would make a good first baseman in our lineup.

 

A lot.

[Dojji]

I wonder if we have $ and or players to get Kansas to part with Billy Butler. That would make a good first baseman in our lineup.

 

Billy Butler has played first base only a little more often than David Ortiz has over the last 2 years plus thanks to the emergence of Eric Hosmer. He's not a horrible 1B, I'd compare him roughly to Ryan Howard or Prince Fielder as a defensive 1B. He's no butcher but he's definitely there for his bat in other words. But he's been a DH for 2 years and I'm sure his defensive game has eroded a bit as he's focused exclusively on hitting.

 

I don't see why people are so dead set against bringing Youk back. It's like the fact that he isn't what he was when he was the best offensive player in the league, means people can't grasp the idea that he can be useful still even in a diminished form. That gold glove defense hasn't gone anywhere and his OPS+ was a solid 100. And I suspect that if you moved him back to first, he'd be healthier -- a lot of his recent injuries have come defensively, if you put him at first, some of that pressure is removed. Who knows, maybe he gets his old swing back.

[Designated Hater]

If you bring Youk back you might as well call Varitek back and re-trade for Beckett and A-Gon.

 

This is not a time to take steps backwards. This is a time to move forward. Next season is going to be pretty ugly as well. They don't have the farm system, the young kids are getting there but definitely not ready, and the free agent class of 2012 is thin.

 

When was the last time the Sox finished in last 2 years in a row?

[redsoxfan3]

Billy Butler has played first base only a little more often than David Ortiz has over the last 2 years plus thanks to the emergence of Eric Hosmer. He's not a horrible 1B, I'd compare him roughly to Ryan Howard or Prince Fielder as a defensive 1B. He's no butcher but he's definitely there for his bat in other words. But he's been a DH for 2 years and I'm sure his defensive game has eroded a bit as he's focused exclusively on hitting.

 

I don't see why people are so dead set against bringing Youk back. It's like the fact that he isn't what he was when he was the best offensive player in the league, means people can't grasp the idea that he can be useful still even in a diminished form. That gold glove defense hasn't gone anywhere and his OPS+ was a solid 100. And I suspect that if you moved him back to first, he'd be healthier -- a lot of his recent injuries have come defensively, if you put him at first, some of that pressure is removed. Who knows, maybe he gets his old swing back.

 

I think you could be right in saying that he would be a solid defensive first baseman. Here is the problem, the team is looking to move forward and start making changes. Youk was a well respected player on this team and a fan favorite. A lot of people would be okay with him coming back, but what good does it do for the organization? Yes, Bobby V is gone and there would be no problem with the new manager and Youk, but what message will that send to the team and to the fans if we bring him back? We traded the guy because there was an internal problem with him and Bobby Valentine, and he was underperforming. With bringing him back, that just shows that we are willing to go back in time. It is time for a fresh new start for this team. That means do not bring Youkilis back and move forward without him. I want some fresh faces next year on this team, not a washed up offensive player in Kevin Youkilis.

[mvp 78]

He's just not very good anymore. An injury prone guy who hits under .240 with diminishing power? That doesn't sound fun to me. There are way better options out there. It also doesn't help that he's a prima donna who loves drama. When you're such a problem that even Manny had to tell him to chill out, you're probably not the best guy to be around.

[redsoxfan3]

He's just not very good anymore. An injury prone guy who hits under .240 with diminishing power? That doesn't sound fun to me. There are way better options out there. It also doesn't help that he's a prima donna who loves drama. When you're such a problem that even Manny had to tell him to chill out, you're probably not the best guy to be around.

 

Agreed. It is just best that we move on from him. He had some great years here and will always be remembered, but it is time to move on. I do wish him the best of luck elsewhere.

[Spitball]

I wouldn't mind seeing Youkilis come back as a role player. Let him back up at first and third. He could also DH when Ortiz (assuming he is back) is in need of a break.

 

The Sox could have used him in that role this year.

[a700hitter]

I wouldn't mind seeing Youkilis come back as a role player. Let him back up at first and third. He could also DH when Ortiz (assuming he is back) is in need of a break.

 

The Sox could have used him in that role this year.

And pass up the opportunity to land Zach Stewart and Brent Lillishit?

[Palodios]

This organization had a choice between Youkilis and Valentine. They made their choice clear. I doubt Youkilis will forget that.

[Behindenemylines]

I loved Youk and the way he played, but he is in decline as that style he plays has caused him to break down a lot the last couple of years. After a quick start with the wrong colored Sox his batting average dropped. I think you have to turn the page on this one. 1B is one of many roster spots that need to be filled, but Youk's ship has sailed.