Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has once again avoided arbitration during his tenure as the Red Sox and Kevin Youkilis have come to terms. The deal for Youkilis is a 1-year $3 million deal.
Youk had asked for $3.7 million while the Red Sox counteroffer was $2.525 million. They basically met in the middle. It’s a huge raise for Youk as he made $424,500 in 2007, a raise of $2,575,500
Youk spent part of his winter training with Manny Ramirez and Dustin Pedroia at the Athletes’ Performance Institute in Arizona. Look for him to be in great shape. And if you’re wondering the goatee is already back.
$424,500 + $3,275,000 = $3,699,500.
His actual pay increase is $2,575,500.
Thanks. It’s corrected. Obviously I did that off of the 3.7 million figure for some stupid reason. And to think math is my strong point.
Thanks goodness! And can we please get Youk signed for more than one year.
They don’t have to right now. He’s still under their control for 2 more years after this season. I’d have to think they’d like to but they haven’t signed any of their young guys to deals like other teams during the Theo era.
What I’d like to see is Terry Francona’s extension get done.
you have to wonder if Youk lowballed himself when he asked for $3.7 mil. Garrett Atkins, who made $400,000 last season with the Rockies walked away with $4.3875 mil after he had asked for $4.65 mil and Colorado offered $4.125 mil. Atkins batted .301 with 25 homers and 111 RBIs last season for the NL champions.
Casey I think the Red Sox have gotten away from signing the young guys like that. They aren’t afraid to pay for someone they think deserves it but they tend to shy away from paying players who have a small track record and that they have control over. It also keeps the young player ‘hungy’ to keep producing to earn that big payday here or elsewhere.