Youkilis, Sox agree to 2008 contract

by Randy Booth on Feb 10, 2008 11:42 PM EST in News

Kevin Youkilis inked a one-year contract worth $3 million to avoid arbitration today:

Youkilis had come in far from the number offered by the team. He asked for $3.7 million, while the team offered $2.525 million. Last season the Red Sox ended up renewing his contract at $424,500.

Relievers Kyle Snyder and Javier Lopez were the other Sox players who were eligible for arbitration this off-season. Lopez signed for $840,000. Snyder exchanged numbers with the Sox before signing a one-year contract for $835,000.

Great signing. I'm sure Youkilis would have liked a long-term contract but at this point the Red Sox aren't ready to offer that. Soon, though, I'm sure. Youkilis was still slotted in to be our first baseman in 2007 before this signing, but here's how the lineup looks now:

C Jason Varitek
1B Kevin Youkilis
2B Dustin Pedroia
3B Mike Lowell
SS Julio Lugo
LF Manny Ramirez
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
RF JD Drew
DH David Ortiz
BN Sean Casey
BN Alex Cora
BN Bobby Kielty
BN Doug Mirabelli
BN Coco Crisp

I like it ... so I'll take it. I think this team is pretty solid heading into spring training. Our bench is strong as well, but I think we could use some upgrades if the options come about.

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Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2007 contract

Great news.

Is there any word on when they'll agree to a 2008 contract? :)

by RSNexile on Feb 10, 2008 11:46 PM EST reply actions

Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2007 contract

Ehh. My bad.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Feb 10, 2008 11:48 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2007 contract

No worries. I had to catch myself from writing 2006 on everything last year until April. The way I figure it, it's not really the new year until Opening Day.

by RSNexile on Feb 10, 2008 11:56 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2007 contract

That's a very true statement.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Feb 11, 2008 12:05 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2008 contract

yes we need youk he's agamer anybody know we signed bobby kielty when we signed him he did hit the homer to win last game of ws

by dluuu on Feb 11, 2008 1:12 AM EST reply actions

Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2008 contract

I think you're asking if we signed Kielty. If so, we signed him last week, follow this link.

I agree, I like this guy off the bench. seems like a fireplug, a la Gabe Kapler.

Manny Ramirez is a bad man

by tommy.otm on Feb 11, 2008 8:43 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2008 contract

i also like sean casey signing

by dluuu on Feb 11, 2008 1:15 AM EST reply actions

Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2008 contract

anybody going to spring training lookin for ride from north carolina

by dluuu on Feb 11, 2008 1:18 AM EST reply actions

Schilling 2008 contract

According to the Globe, it's not insured.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/02/11/schilling_pact_not_insured/?rss_id= Boston.com+--+Red+Sox+News

by ET90210 on Feb 11, 2008 9:34 AM EST reply actions

Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2008 contract

I still say I wish we would trade Crisp, get a young catcher or now w/ Schill being hurt a SP. I wish we would not have signed Kielty, and signed Lofton instead. It would give us a back up if Jacoby struggles, speed, and better defense than what Kielty provides. Lofton could also hit lead off. Again, this is all under the idea that Crisp wont be retained as the 4th OF on opening day.

BTW,
After looking at the schedule again...I HATE this starting in Japan thing. Our schedule in April is very tough, and I think we are going to have a rough go of it. I hope I am wrong, but it looks brutal. I wish we could just play prospects in Japan ,so our main guys could rest, but MLB wont let that happen, and its regular season. Then again even if our starters were resting...the trip itself would be enough to make anyone tired beyond belief. hate it!!!

by Matzushocka on Feb 11, 2008 1:19 PM EST reply actions

I'll play CHB for a while...

Lofton? The man who was a part of both the greatest chokes in the last four years? The dude whose "veteran leadership" propelled the Yankees to lose when they were up three games to none on the 2004 Sox? The guy whose Indians couldn't seal the deal despite being up 3-1 on the Sox? The man, the myth, the legend, who held up when he should have been scoring in game 7 of the ALCS? The light-footed comet who, despite a 16-year career has never won a World Series? Beware the Curse of Kenny Lofton!!!

In all seriousness, Lofton is probably looking to start, not be a 4th OF. He's also quite old (40), and, if the ALCS is any indication, probably would not get along with Beckett. I'd rather just have Crisp or Moss as the 4th OF.

by 0157H7 on Feb 11, 2008 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2008 contract

Agreed on his other good qualities, but Lofton can no longer play CF defensively (his RZR was .849 while playing for the Rangers, which is lower than Crisp's in 2006, which could be considered an adjustment year for Crisp's defense akin to Beckett v.2006 vs. Beckett v.2007), and never had a good arm. I'd prefer Kielty on defense, since hopefully the Sox would be smart enough to shift Drew if Ellsbury struggles, despite the distinct possibility that that raises the injury probability on Drew's part.

Also, as ecoli said, I think the least role Lofton would settle for is a platoon spot. I could see him retiring if no team finds such a need during ST.

by Allen Chace on Feb 11, 2008 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2008 contract

Unless Ellsbury struggles defensively, I doubt the Sox will move him from CF. They stuck with Pedroia despite an offensively atrocious first month (and a bad September callup), although Alex Cora got more playing time.

by 0157H7 on Feb 11, 2008 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

More Bench help

What do people think about this potential new Japanese catcher, Hayato Doue? Looking at some stats about him, he seems to have more offensive capabilities than Belli, and is supposed to be a good defensive catcher. I know if he's signed he'll be starting the season in Pawtucket, but a potential late season call up for when Tek gets tired. Also, for next year...

by redsoxrocko on Feb 11, 2008 1:45 PM EST reply actions

Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2008 contract

I don't think Lofton is going to get a starting gig. As far as the curse of Kenny goes, I do not think any of the collapses have ever been his fault. :)

by Matzushocka on Feb 11, 2008 5:01 PM EST reply actions

Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2008 contract

Seems like the Reds are interested in him.

by Liza on Feb 11, 2008 6:05 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Youkilis, Sox agree to 2008 contract

I expect that not all of the roster positions we see now will be there for opening day. I think Javier Lopez might very well not make the team -- he has a lot of questions to answer, he was so ineffective at the end of the season. There are cheaper options than Mirabelli to do what he does, so he could be on some thin ice.

As far as trading Coco goes, I think it is very possible. However, what I'd like to see is Coco getting traded for a couple of high tools/low experience type of prospects. Getting a flotsam pitcher for Coco's value makes sense, but I'd rather see the scouting staff search for a scouting/development home run.

I admire the Patriots, but I LOVE the Sox.

by sriram12078 on Feb 11, 2008 9:58 PM EST reply actions