Kevin Youkilis Weighing 'Good Choices'; Indians Join Yankees In Mix
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It has to be a dream scenario for former Red Sox star Kevin Youkilis: play for the Yankees or his former manager, Terry Francona.
As WFAN and CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman tweeted Thursday, "Youk has a delicious call."
The Yankees and Francona's Cleveland Indians have both been trying to land the corner infielder, reported Heyman. Youkilis admitted Thursday he had some "good choices," but wouldn't elaborate.
"I've got good choices, I can't deny it, I have good choices and good people," he said, according to the Boston Herald. "Any time anyone wants you, that's a good choice. Some guys are sitting at home and want a job and not getting it."
Youkilis received a one-year, $12 million offer from New York, according to multiple reports. He also has a two-year deal on the table from the Indians "in the area of $16 to $18 million," the New York Post reported.
The 33-year-old made $12.25 million last season. Traded from the Red Sox to the Chicago White Sox in June, he hit a career-low .235 with 19 home runs and 60 RBIs in 122 games.
Youkilis debuted and later enjoyed his best seasons under Francona in Boston, including 2008, when he hit .312 with 29 home runs and 115 RBIs. Returning to Ohio could also have a certain appeal for the Cincinnati native.
Then there's the lure of the Yankee pinstripes.
"The White Sox had pinstripes and nobody ever commented on that," said Youkilis.
The Yankees need a bat at third base with Alex Rodriguez expected to miss a good portion of the season with a tear in his left hip. Yankees targets Eric Chavez and Jeff Keppinger both came off the board Wednesday.
Mark Reynolds is also in the hot-corner mix. His agent met with New York this week, WFAN's Sweeny Murti reported.
"I don't feel like we're not having a productive winter," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday. "I feel like we're being deliberate and we are being slow. Every one of your missed opportunities, that stuff happens. But when the dust settles, we're going to be a team that people aren't going to be comfortable playing."
Yankees fans, would you feel comfortable cheering "YOUUUK!"? Let us know in the comments below...
