YOOOUUUK! by Jared Carrabis
Sox extend Kevin Youkilis


According to the most reliable source in the game of baseball, Peter Gammons is reporting that the Red Sox and Kevin Youkilis have agreed on a four-year extension worth $40 million.

The contract that has been agreed upon has an option for a fifth season that could keep the Gold Glove offensive spark in Boston throughout the 2013 season. Youkilis first burst onto the Boston scene in 2004 starting in place of Bill Mueller who had found himself on the disabled list. The Boston infielder is one of very few remaining players that have two World Series rings with the Boston Red Sox and are still on the active roster.

Since making his presence felt during the historic 2004 season, Youkilis has since won a Gold Glove in 2007 all while setting the all-time record for most consecutive errorless games at first base, he was an All Star selection in 2008 (snubbed in 2007), and was the recipient of the Hank Aaron award this past October.

Youkilis avoided arbitration entering the 2008 season by signing a one-year deal worth $3 million. It’s safe to say that Youkilis was all the more motivated to put up big numbers to assure that he wanted a starting job in Boston for years to come. This past season, Youkilis was atop the offensive categories in the American League by finishing the 2008 campaign third in slugging (.569), fourth in RBI (115), OPS (.958) and extra base hits (76).

The homegrown Youkilis placed sixth for the AL batting title by hitting .312 and his .390 OBP was also good for sixth in the league. Youkilis finished out the top ten in the AL seventh in doubles with 43, eighth in total bases with 306 and twelfth in home runs with a 29 home run season.

The bearded one will be welcomed back with open arms as the Fenway Faithful have made him a staple here in Boston as a fan favorite just as much as he is a staple in the Red Sox clubhouse amongst his teammates.

-Jared Carrabis

Published on January 15, 2009

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