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Sox Agree To Four-Year Extension With Youkilis, Finalize Deal With Kotsay

By Administrator | January 15, 2009

The Red Sox and 1B Kevin Youkilis have reached agreement on a four-year, $41 million contract extension that will keep YOUK! in Boston through the 2012 season. With the deal, the Red Sox avoided arbitration with their first baseman… thus, Sox GM Theo Epstein is able to maintain his perfect record — he has not been through the arbitration process with any of his players since assuming control of the club.

Youk will receive a $1 million signing bonus, plus salaries of $6 million (2009), $9,125,000 (2010) and $12 million (2011 and 2012). The Red Sox have a $13 million team option for 2013, with a $1 million buyout. The deal is contingent on a physical examination (scheduled to be performed tomorrow).

Youkilis hit .312 last season, with 29 HR and 115 RBI, winning the Hank Aaron Award as the league’s top offensive performer and finishing third in the MVP voting.

Of the deal, Youkilis said: “It’s a great thing knowing that I’ll be here for hopefully the next five years. My wife is from Boston and her family’s from here and that’s a major factor in us staying here”.

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Also today, the Red Sox and OF/1B Mark Kotsay finalized agreement on a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $1.5 million.

Kotsay hit .226, with 12 RBI, in twenty-two regular-season games with the Red Sox last season after being acquired from the Atlanta Braves on August 27th.

In the post-season, he started at first base after 3B Mike Lowell was sidelined with a hip injury (as Kevin Youkilis moved from first base to third base). His versatility (he can play both the outfield and infield) means the Sox can get by with only four ballplayers on their bench, allowing manager Terry Francona to carry twelve pitchers on his staff.

In ‘09, it is expected that he will back up Kevin Youkilis at first base and Jacoby Ellsbury in center field… he’ll also serve as a left-handed pinch hitter off the bench.

Topics: Sox Front Office, Sox Players |

One Response to “Sox Agree To Four-Year Extension With Youkilis, Finalize Deal With Kotsay”

  1. larry Says:
    January 15th, 2009 at 9:38 pm

    Hi JB,
    I think you have to like what the Red Sox are doing. They are taking a reasonable risk, possibly high payoff strategy. I think part of the strategy is due to the Red Sox having such a good relationship with Mike Lowell. This led to the Red Sox not pushing the Teixeira bid any more than they did and also were not forced to trade Lowell and having to absorb some of Lowell’s contract.

    If most of the players they signed are able to come back from their injuries, then they may have the best 1-25 player team in MLB. They just have to figure out their catching and they are in very good shape. I am afraid that they may have to give up one of their top prospects.

    This team has lots of promise. Just hope they stay healthy. There could be another world championship coming up in the next year or two.

    Larry

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