Lock 'em Up
ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting that the Red Sox and Kevin Youkilis have agreed to a 4-year, $40mm extension with a team option for a 5th year. The Boston Globe is suggesting that while terms have been outlined, an agreement has NOT been reached.
If this is true (that a deal is done or is all but done), the Red Sox will have signed Youkilis through his 33rd birthday or 34th birthday if they exercise the option. Interesting, I knew Youkilis was that old but not really. Seems like he should be 26 or 27.
Anyway, another great move in my mind as it buys him out of 2 and maybe 3 years of free agency. I think any Red Sox fan has to agree that IF Youkilis maintains his recent production, this is a team friendly deal.
He made $3mm in 2008 and would have made at a minimum $6mm in 2009 and in 2010, what, $12mm? Again that assumes he does as well or close to what he did in 2008. For Youkilis, this provides him with a bunch of money should his career go into the crapper.
Reports also surfaced over this past weekend that the Red Sox were looking into talking with Jason Bay about extending his contract as well. He is schedule to be a free agent after the 2009 season.
Comments
I have to say, I never would have guessed he is going to be 30 before the season starts. That seems really old (though not when I compare it to your age Andy)
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
January 15, 2009 07:52 PM
|
Listen Geezer, I've already order your birthday present for this year, a decade supply of Depends!!!
Yes, Youkilis is far older than I think most would have expected, which makes this deal a bit more understandable. He is probably thinking that he is close to if not at his peak and the only way from here is down.
I was listening to WEEI and they were oblivious to the idea of when a batter reaches his peak years. They kept comparing all players to Manny Ramirez as though he is a normal subject to compare a typical baseball player to.
Posted by: Andy | January 15, 2009 09:43 PM |
Geezer? Really?
I have a feeling that in 15 years or so Manny Ramirez is looked on very differently by the Boston crowd. I don't think he will ever be a hero, but I imagine he will be appreciated more.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
January 15, 2009 10:06 PM
|
The Red Sox already gave away Manny's number.
Posted by: Andy | January 15, 2009 11:25 PM |
Ok, so answer this trivia question then...what do Pat Dodson, Greg Harris and Mark Whitten (among others) have in common?
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
January 15, 2009 11:36 PM
|
Well, Whitten hit 4 HR in a game, but Pat Dodson and Greg Harris? Hmmm, Harris was ambidextrious (Lou Gorman wouldn't let him throw both ways in a game as it would make a mockery of the game...
I don't know, I can't seem to piece it together.
(I wasn't kidding about them giving away Manny's number. Takashi Saito got it. I think that tells you how Boston management feels about Manny. He did serious damage to the Red Sox last year and for that, I can't really excuse him. Check with me again in 15 years).
Posted by: Andy | January 16, 2009 08:55 AM |
what do Pat Dodson, Greg Harris and Mark Whitten (among others) have in common?
Carlton Fisk?
Posted by: Tom | January 16, 2009 09:36 AM |
Very good, Tom they all wore Fisk's number after he left Boston and before it was retired.
BTW Andy, the Yankees have an ambidextrous pitcher in their system which created a situation that Gorman would have hated http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/21/sports/baseball/21switch.html?em&ex=1214366400&en=9d8e5cebb79fda37&ei=5087%0A
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
January 16, 2009 09:45 AM
|