Youkalis signs 1yr 3 Mil deal w/ Sox.

[frankiesfly]

Kevin Youkalis will be a Red Sox player for at least one more year. The first base Gold Glove winner will be recieving three million dollars for one year.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

This is his first arbitration year. The Sox control him for two more years after this one. So unless he suddenly loses all ability or gets traded he'll be with the Sox for 3 more years.

 

[patsfanofNC12]

I hope that at the end of next year, we lock him up to a longterm deal. (If he has another good season, and doesn't tank).

 

[Foley]

Youkilis not tanking would be a first. Hes a career .244/.351/.384 hitter after the ASB, and a career .306/.408/.472 hitter before it, and those splits were even more pronounced last year. He has completely fallen off the table offensively in the second half in both 2006 and 2007.

His power fades as the season goes on, and his strikes outs go way up. If this trend continues again this year then I see no reason why they would sign him to a long term deal. Especially if Lars Anderson continues to improve in the minors.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

Youkilis not tanking would be a first. Hes a career .244/.351/.384 hitter after the ASB, and a career .306/.408/.472 hitter before it, and those splits were even more pronounced last year. He has completely fallen off the table offensively in the second half in both 2006 and 2007.

His power fades as the season goes on, and his strikes outs go way up. If this trend continues again this year then I see no reason why they would sign him to a long term deal. Especially if Lars Anderson continues to improve in the minors.

I agree with you that his second half disappearances shouldn't be ignored. The fact that he's a "dirt dog" seems to give him a free pass with the fans and media.

As for a long-term deal, they may feel like he can go back to 3rd when Lowell's contract is up. That would be right around the time Lars would arrive (though it is pretty pointless to project 3 years ahead. anything can happen).