Gresh & Zo: Youkilis Talks Papelbon Rumors: "Don't Believe The Hype"
BOSTON (CBS) - Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis is not buying all the talk surrounding closer Jonathan Papelbon.
"There's a lot of rumors that come out of Fenway Park that aren't out of Fenway Park," Youkilis told the Gresh and Zolak show Thursday morning on 98.5 The Sports Hub. "A lot of people make stuff up. I would say until it's said and done, don't believe the hype."
Earlier this week, Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman told Gresh and Zolak Papelbon was a "tough employee" and the Sox have been, and would continue, to shop the closer.
"We don't worry about that stuff because we know the front office and Tito (Francona) and Theo (Epstein) and all them, whatever pieces they have to put together to put together a championship team, they're going to do their best job," Youkilis said.
Listen To Kevin Youkilis With Gresh and Zolak In It's Entirety
With spring training just a few weeks away, Youkilis is getting ready for a transition year. Newly acquired slugger Adrian Gonzalez is now at first base, so Youk will make the move to third base, his original position. Although he has not changed his off-season workouts too much, he has been throwing the baseball a lot more trying to strengthen his arm for the throw across the diamond.
With the move, Youkilis will no longer be next to second baseman Dustin Pedroia on the field. Pedroia is returning from a foot injury that forced him to miss the final three months last season. He is known as a very emotional player, and Youkilis knows his teammate is ready to return.
"Talking to Dustin I know he's really pumped, but he's really pumped just waking up in the morning," Youkilis joked. "He's always fired up at something. He's got a lot of energy in him, but he's pretty funny to hear. Even in a text message you can hear him get excited."
With the return of Pedroia and the additions of Gonzalez and center fielder Carl Crawford, the Red Sox are set to have a very powerful lineup. This is something that has not set in, but will once the team gets into the swing of things.
"I think a lot of guys are excited, but it doesn't sink in until you're at spring training and you get to really know each other," Youkilis said. "You get on the field and take batting practice, and then you get in game situations. You don't really get the feel until middle March when the games start rolling in."
Pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers on February 14th with the Red Sox first spring training game slated for February 26th against Boston College.
