I post an update to the status of White Sox free agents and within a matter of hours it needs updating. The Yankees have taken a White Sox free agent off the board by signing Kevin Youkilis as a replacement for the surgery-bound Alex Rodriguez. It’s curious that they would choose an oft-injured, aging 3B to fill in for an oft-injured, aging 3B but as we’ve seen so far this hot stove season, it’s slim pickings out there on the hot corner.
The 1 year/$12M contract agreed upon is a clear overpay as I see it, but the Yankees are the Yankees and can afford to do things like this.
Youkilis slugged .425 in his 3+ months with the White Sox in 2012 taking over duties being “filled” by Brent Morel and Orlando Hudson up to that point. As I’ve mentioned recently, Youkilis isn’t likely to return to his old offensive form while his body takes a third base beating, so I’m sure he’ll be counting down the days until Rodriguez returns and hope he can get some time at what looks to be a crowded DH/1B situation in the Bronx.