MLB Free Agency 2013: Will Kevin Youkilis Choose Yankees or Indians Offer?
December 9, 2012 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Kevin Youkilis has a very big decision to make for 2013.
Currently, he has two offers for next season.
One is a two-year, $18 million offer from the Cleveland Indians in which he would play first base and be reunited with his former Boston Red Sox manager, Terry Francona.
The other is a one-year, $12 million offer from the New York Yankees in which he will play third base due to the hip injury to Alex Rodriguez and Youk would be playing for a contender again.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports and WFAN said he would be surprised if Youk turned down the Yankees offer this winter.
would be at least a mild surprise if youk doesnt take yankees offer. likes winning, doesnt shy away from limelight.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 8, 2012
After spending nine years with the Red Sox, two of which he was a member of World Series Championships, Youkilis was traded to the Chicago White Sox in June as part of Boston blowing up the team under now former manager Bobby Valentine.
The 34-year-old hit just .235 with 19 home runs and 60 RBI between the two clubs in 2012, an obvious down season for the man known as the “Greek God of Walks.”
Before the injury announcement to A-Rod, I never thought there was a chance that Youkilis would ever be a part of the Yankees.
In fact, I had originally pegged Youkilis to go to the Indians because that’s his hometown state and the influence of Francona being there.
But now, it’s a whole different ballgame, especially since the Yankees are offering a larger salary and a chance for Youkilis to be on a contender again.
Personally, I think Youkilis would be a nice fit into the Yankees lineup. He’s a patient hitter who will see a lot of pitches, wear down the opposing pitcher and has the ability to drive the ball to all parts of the field.
I know a lot of fans think it would be weird seeing Youkilis in pinstripes, but then again, so many thought the same of Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens and Johnny Damon and it worked out just fine with all three.
In fact, Robinson Cano voiced his approval of Youkilis coming to the Bronx this weekend, according to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe.
“Everything stays on the field. I’ve gotten a chance to talk to him and he’s a nice guy. I’ve had a chance to meet him at the All-Star Game, and he always seemed cool in talking with everybody,” Cano said. “There’s some guys that, the way they play the game, you say this guy is not a nice person. But he’s a great person.”
If you were to ask me right now which team does Youkilis choose, my instincts say the Yankees for two reasons:
1. Winning and playing for a contender, just like he did with Boston and partially with Chicago.
2. The flexibility of the one-year offer, as Youkilis could go back into free agency again in 2014.
And what if Youkilis has a really good year in 2013; maybe he gets a bigger offer in free agency for one last multi-year deal.
Right now, there’s no timetable on if and when Youkilis will decide, so it’ll be very interesting to see what decision Youk makes.
New York or Cleveland?
Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.
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