No deal for Youkilis

Good move in not signing him long-term. Look at the career splits with him and tex. Power and RBI numbers do not compare well with tex. I think youk had the best year he is ever going to have last year. He is a good player and very versatile but not worth a long-term contact at this time. I applaud managements decision on this one.

now THIS is worrisome and insulting........ sign Youk NOW !!!

Good for Youk. He is smart enough to know that if Texiera is worth 24 million a year on the open market he will be worth at least 18 when he is finally a UFA . I don't see why he should take a home-town discount when a guy like Mike Lowell did that and the team was looking to sign Texiera and ship him off only a year later. The way the Red Sox went about this thing with Texiera, offering so much more money than they ever come close to for their own players (see Youk and Pedroia) and treating Lowell so poorly, has left a really bad taste in my mouth for the way they do business. There is no reason their numbers had to become public unless they wanted them to be look at the way no one knew anything about the yankees offer until yesterday. Its just another example of Theo falling in love with a free agent and making public blunders (JD Drew). That being said Teixeira is getting way overpayed and although I would have liked to have him on our team, I'm not mad we didn't get him, just mad that the Yankees did. I would have loved for him to sign with the Nats and be out of our way completely.

Youk's average was .312 in 2008. Not .289 as it is listed here. I'm guessing Kilgore just mistakenly put his career average in both comparisons.

Let him go this year with arbitration. If he puts up solid numbers like last year (and most importantly doesn't fall off in the second half like he did in his first 3 years in Boston), then extend him next offseason.

Good commentary Rickb101. Seriously. I agree with this move as well. If Youk goes on for another year or after 2010 producing the same, then he'll earn the money. Which is something most players today don't ever do. Good call guys.

Remember it's a business.

Youk is not the type of player you sign long term. This was the first year his numbers didnt fall off the table after the all-star break. I hate casual baseball fans that overreact to every move that the Yankees do and think that it is the way business should go. Speaking of business isnt that what baseball is. People here will be upset at Teixeira for making the money he is offered...wouldnt you do that if another company offered you more?! I know you would

I'm not incredibly upset about the Sox not signing Tex (I know, I know.........long term it will be bad, but I DIDN'T want to lose Mikey Lowell) but I can't understand why they are screwing with Youk. I wonder how far apart the sides really are.

I hope that people realize that the Boston Management do not CARE AT ALL!! about their players. They used them and then let them go with disgrace. That is the Boston Way! Go Manny, Damon, Pedro, Lowe and all the other great ex-redsox players who helped us win championships!!

HORRIBLE NEWS!

Both not signing him and playing for the US in the baseball classic. He plays so hard during the year that all those additional games will wear him out quicker.

DAMMIT.

Guys why are you comparing Youkilis to Texeria. The Red Sox have to replace Manny Ramirez. he's the one to be compared to Texeria. They haven't done that and Texeria is no Ramirez sorry!!

even though I would like to sign Youk now...there's still time to reach an agreement

Youk is the ultimate moneyball player. The perfect fit for what the team wants to do. They should pay him.

Trade him now. His trade value will never be higher

Youk is one of those guys who always comes up big... many guys have great stats but how do they perform when the game is on the line...think about how many times CC, A-Rod, Tex, K-Rod have come up big in playoff games?
I hope they add Manny to the soup that is the 2009 Yankees that has so many expensive ingredients but will taste like crap.

I hope they can sign Youk or at least give him some indicator of the respect he deserves. He is a true dirt dog.

Typical front office bs. Here is a guy who flat lays it all out on the field, hurt or otherwise, has proven he is a valuable big league player if not borderline star and just because he exudes more team attitude than "me" attitude he gets the run around. The problem is it sends the wrong message to a possible future free agent you may want to sign to a long term deal. Then the evil empire strikes lands the big fish. We still need a big stick and a productive catcher.

Youk doesn't sell enough merchandise for the market savvy sox......Everyone should get off their duffs go out immediately and buy a Kevin Youkilis game jersey.you folks that don't think that youk isn't a superstar..take too much stock in Boston's sportswriters...who not one predicted where Texeira would sign, which was as plain as the nose on your face

He's a very good, versatile homegrown player; sign him maybe at half the years Tex would have gotten, but he deserves a reward for coming through the system,changing positions, and improving his defense at two positions and his power numbers. Don't alienate the good ones.

It's the middle of the winter and the CELTS are putting together a all time great season, the Bruins are winning the Pats are on the door step of the playoffs and we are forced to read and listen to Red Sox smucks. Give it a rest, there are other sports and things to be happy about and watch.

When Lowell is gone in two years, Youk shifts to third and Lars Anderson moves to first. Youk's versatility is a huge part of what Tito and Theo can do with that infield... Sign him up and pay Youk what he's worth!

"now THIS is worrisome and insulting........ sign Youk NOW !!!"

There's no NEED to sign him now. They'll sign him next year, and he'll do well.

In related news, Theo gave Youk a Joba jersey for Christmas.

now is it time to start thinking Theo is losing his touch or is this just mere coincidence that we lose out to the yanks again, i mean this is beginning to irk the hell out of me and to think that they couldn't offer that deal if not more is really insulting our intelligence and if we don't do anything this off-season what so ever, that shows that management is getting a little to clingy to the money, and for Christ sake, at least bring Jason Varitek back!!!! watch the yanks sign him next.

Teixeira is great, however Youk is right there. I was rooting Not to get him.

And on and on the profit taking goes.

I urge Red Sox fans to at least seriously consider cutting back on their feeding of the monster by not buying as much merchandise, tickets, etc.

If Sox ownership wants to run the team like a small market club, then let the attendance reflect that as well.

Please, for the fan's sake who shell out hundreds of dollars for uncomfortable seats and overpriced RemDogs, sign fan favorite Youk to at least a generous 1 year deal. The guy is a true baseball player with great numbers who grits it out each and every game. Loosen your belt Henry and spend a little on the guy. If you don't think he is worth it surely you think the fans who pay their hard earned money to see your product are.

this is an insult to the man who basically carried us the last few seasons. sign youk RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lars can play first and youk can play third. and no one knows how lars is going to pan out. youkalis has proven his worth time and time again. plus, he gives the team much needed toughness AND he can back up whatever he says. youkalis/pedroia are our future. don't *&^% this one up, theo.

Hey, maybe the Yankees will end up signing Youkilis too. Then the Red Sox can sign........um........uh............

I really think Youk is worth signing for mulit-year. His hard work both at the plate and at first base, as well as being able to shift over to third, is well worth it. He is dedicated to the game, to say the least. Sign him, please! We love you Youk!!!

I dont like Youk, Good work not signing long term. He is vastly overrated and married Ben Afflecks sloppy seconds.

This team is going down the toilet faster than Santa down the chimney.

we just have to sign our catcher or get a new one (mr.j.maurer?) and get a decent pitcher (mr.j.peavy) and get a good lefty reliever (mr.b.fuentes who won games in a hitters ballpark) thats all we need, give us that 2009 world series trophy!!!!

If Youk played Seattle, Oakland, Texas on a regular basis his numbers would be the same if not higher than Texiera. The AL west is no comparison to the AL east!

guys youk and tex are about the same age, by the time youk is available outside of arbitration he'll be like 32. thats the know "start of decline" state for hitters. its not to youk's benefit to hold out, not when he wont be able to become a free agent until his declining years start. he wont get 18 mil at that time, he wont get what the sox are offering him now.

The "business" part of baseball is starting to make baseball not so much fun for us fans. All we read about are these ridiculous sums of money being bandied about, while we struggle to provide for our families, educate our kids and, hopefully, find enough cash to be able to go to a few games each season. I admire Youk for playing on one-year deals and not whining about it - or quitting on the team like Manny did when he didn't get his way. That's a breath of fresh air.

However, the Sox management ought to be very worried about the next couple of years when it comes to whether or not those of us who love the game and the team can afford to keep following along in person - or even via expensive cable or satellite services.

I also predict this "sell-out" streak the Sox have going (largely due to scalpers like Ace and Stub Hub catering to people who snatch up Sox tickets with no intention of personally using them) will end this coming season. We're all getting squeezed.

The Sox do not know how lucky they are in not signing Boras' boy Tex for obscene money. What a message that would have sent out at this time.

Frankly, it's just depressing reading about the money side of the game when the prospects for millions of Americans are diminishing. John Henry is a money guy and he must understand that fiscal conservatism is now the route to take - even if you just try to talk about it in the publicity department.

This is the time for the Red Sox to part ways from this arms race with the Yankees and keep concentrating on developing talent in house and playing fundamental, competitive baseball that is affordable for at least some of us to come watch once or twice a year.

I'd rather see the Sox finish second than do what the Yankees are doing - which is feed at the public trough for massive stadium tax breaks and subsidies, while charging a thousand bucks a seat or more for a baseball game so fans can watch a 300 pound pitcher make about $100,000 an inning - or $33,000 an out - which is more for one out than many people make in a year! Obscene.

BLAH BLAH BLAH Youkilis- We are all missing the point

Tex was the real deal and the shucksters Luchino Henry and Werner- stink. They should not even have gotten the team - Joe from Malden bid more - .

Teams ofense is in disaray. Ortiz is on downward slope. Needs protection
What would it take for Lance Berkman- Bucholtz- Bowden - and who??
Everyone wants to complain about Boras - maybe Henry should look in the mirror.
What kind of revenue do the Sox generate - Credit cards - red sox nation- pink
hats etc

Maybe the Yanks can sign Youk too. Why not, they have just about signed every other good player on the open market. Baseball needs a REAL salary cap like football!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How much more bad news can we handle on Christmas! Has there ever been a player who left the Sox on good terms? John Henry blew it big time on Texiera and he knows it. Now, not only does Mike Lowell feel unloved for no reason at all, but let's tick off our existing first baseman, who by the way I'd take over Texiera any day! How can they justify not paying Youk? Especially with Pedroia signed already! I'm sure he's asking for more than Pedey settled for, but you were going to pay Texiera $22.5 million a year! Isn't Youkilis worth at least half or three quarters of that long term?? Has Henry just given up after two titles?

i think we should sign youk- def- he has given his all for the sox
and now that that guy is with the yanks- we need to ensure we have one solid bat behind papi- or in front!!
i think we need another big bat too- what has happened to TEJADA
i would like lowe back to shore up our rotation
whatever else happens- dicek, lester, beckett, lowe- would get us to the playoffs
surely!!

Seems as if Youk is saying that two can play at the complete lack of loyalty game that Red Sox management practices. After signing Tex, Lowell or Youk were likely going to be dangled (most likely Lowell, who signed cheaper to stay with this team)....good for you Youk; a lot of teams are looking for excellent fielding corner players with 300/30/100 stats...one more good year and you are in the $20/yr camp and you know the Sox will not pay you that.

Totally unacceptable. It is time we take a closer look at management. There was never a problem throwing money at guys like Clement, Lugo, Renteria, Drew et al. But this is heartbeat of one of the continously (sp) finest professional sports clubs. He deserves a long term contract more than 95% of the players in MLB.

Let's take a closer look at management, shall we? We appreciate you, Youk, very much! Thanks for "staying classy"..

Happy Holidays!
Tomen8r

Trade Ellsbury, Bucholz, and Bowden for Josh Hamilton and Jared Saltilamacchia.
Nolan Ryan loves Bucholz and the rangers aren't going anywhere soon. Hell, throw in Lugo eat his contract and add another minor leaguer or two and add Michael Young. Everyone wins.

I don't think Theo really wanted Teixiera that much in the first place. The Sox have Youk under contract and Lars Andersen in the wings. The Yankees couldn't live without Teixiera with the loss of Giambi and Abreu. John Henry just drove the price up on him and the Steinbenner's took the bait. Teixiera is a good first baseman - but Youk is a better first baseman. Tex was just the best free agent available this off-season. Now the Yankees have a half-a-billion tied up with a pretty good switch hitter, an injury prone fastballer, and a fat-assed lefty who chokes in the play-offs.
They'll work out a deal with Youk - don't worry.

Youkilis is a Red Sox producer .. Texeira was on the losing end with Anaheim. Texeira also hit fewer clutch RBIs while Youkilis for the last 2 seasons has delivered in the clutch. The rap on Texeira is while his defense is indisputable, his HRs and hits rarely were clutch. He's another stat machine like A-Rod. As a red Sox fan I'm not worried. Yankees are just replacing Abreu, Giambi and Pavano with Texeira, Sabathia and Burnett. So what.

Not signing Youk makes sense...as it should to most fans who are crying after losing Tex.

I've read so many comments like "ballplayers shouldn't get $20+ million per year--they should have a cap with performance incentives". Now when Youk has to play hard for his future contracts, everyone is whining that he needs to be signed long-term! Where is the logic?

who knows how far apart the teams are. Youk and his agent have every right to look around and think he's going to command $15m-$18m a year when the time comes, but based on service time the Sox might be trying to get him for along the lines of Pedroia money. I have faith that he's going to be in a Sox uniform for a long time to come, let's not make a bigger deal out of this than it is.

The Red Sox are obvioulsy worried about the economy. As of now, their payroll is scheduled to drop to around the 110 million range. Say we resign Varitek and a few utility players our payroll will be about 118. Down about 20 million from last year. Henry is obviously feeling the affect from the stock market and his other business is doing poorly as well. The Sox management knows they can sell out the ballpark as long as they have a team that is somewhat good. Can't you see what is going on here.

So the Yanks have Texeria, and he has helped the Angels and Braves win how many World Series? We Have Youk and please KEEP HIM in Boston. He plays his heart out every day for the Sox and he has helped us win a World Series, unlike that other guy the Yanks signed, oh yeah, Rodriquez. Great chemistry, don't mess with it. We were just 1 game from another World Series even with all our injuries. Just find us a decent catcher and another outfielder and let us PLAY BALL.

john henry is looking more and more like scrooge...

The true insult to Youk will come when Theo the Magnificent signs Veritek for triple the money that Youk will get. That's the secret Youk... don't hit the ball, just wave at that 3rd strike and glare at the pitcher. It's worth millions.

Bottom line, Youk is versitile and can play 2 positions and play them well. Lowell is done and may not be back to himself this year. Wouldn't it be nice to have Youk in your pocket? On losing Texiera, so what? I think again another story of the Yanks spending their money on someone who they think will impress the media. He is good, in fact great, but it will take more than that for the Yanks to win it all.

That's why I say pay them all the same $3 million a year is a fantastic salary for any God fearing person. $18 and $24 million dollars how much money does one need, really! you could feed a small country for years with that kind of money.

Youk is a throwback to when people actually gave 100% and had pride in themselves and their profession...sign him or lose me, for one....and Tex is no loss--I'd rather lose with people who actually want to be here.

I hate the self annointed baseb all experts who think the casual fan can't have a valid opinion!

Why does it "seem surprising" to Mr. Kilgore that the two sides can't come to an agreement?

I love the notion by he and posters here that it's the team that's holding up the deal. No chance that Youkilis has no interest in a long term contract right now, is there? He sees the FA payday in the future just like Teixeira did when he rejected a long term deal from Texas several years ago.

But no, it's always the team's fault. Must be a nice world to live in where the team can force a player to sign a new deal against his will. It takes two to sign a contrcat people.

John Harrington

Why was it necessary to bring Manny bashing into this conversation? It wasn't. Just shut up already.

Henryischeap,

Best post so far. Sox will not sign any big names this year.

Youk no no no no no go sign with yanks.

Youk not signing long term is the chicken coming home to roost of even getting involved with Texeira in the first place. Why shouldn't Youk ask for an 8/120 contract ? If Tex was worth 8/170 then Youk is worth at least 8/120.

The wise course is to continue focusing on development. keep an endless procession of young hungry kids coming up to fill the holes, not like Oakland ; but tailored to the RedSox situation: a SMART big market team that can spend what it needs to

Let the Yanks huff and puff and blow their own house down with ridiculous contracts. They will be strong for a few years, then the cycle will repeat and they will be a second division team with broken down overpaid veterans.

I know the Sox have a good prospect for first base in the minors. I hope he works out. I think Youk would be a good fit for the Mets in a couple years when Delgado is finished. There is no chance of him signing with the Yankees as they are set at first with Texara & at third with Alex Rodriguez for many years to come.

SOX MANGLEMENT does not KNOW when to put the flipping stats aside and sign a GREAT team player. I would take YOUK over JD DREW all day long... at the same or MORE money. A 6 year - 10 million/yr deal would be fair. DO IT NOW! Sign Veriacheat while you are at it, 3 year - 24 million (so he can take out whatney for a soda).

#48, HenryisCheap:

"Henry is obviously feeling the affect from the stock market and his other business is doing poorly as well. "

Nothing "obvious" about it. Henry's investments are UP for the year.

A lot of people here just plain don't understand the business of baseball. Players that go through the farm system and play a few years in the bigs just aren't going to make big bucks until they near the end of team control. There are exceptions like Evan Longoria's surprising contract so early in his career, but it's not the norm by a long shot. Once you start playing 1st and 2nd year guys millions per year, you'll kill baseball because small-market teams can't go paying every player a few million/year.

Now, it seems in this case, people are jumping to a lot of conclusions without knowing the facts. The two sides are apparently 'far apart', which could mean a combination of years, guaranteed money, and salary/year. We just don't know. Youk's camp could be asking for a $60 million / 6 year contract which I think would be out of touch with the kind of contract the Sox would be willing to offer.

And I'd like to think they'd offer Youk something similar to what they did with Pedroia. But the bottom line is, we just don't know, so we shouldn't judge the FO considering the just DID get a deal done with Pedroia.

Youk will probably play in '09 for like 4.5 million or such (not a bad chunk o' change), and then they'll give him an extension by the end of the season.

Why do I get the impression that the Red Sox think tank is not going to do anything until spring training? Are they shellshocked, or just telling us they're confused?
There's a pitcher out there who might change his mind about east coast teams. This pitcher is, without question, the best available. With him we might feel much better about the first baseman who has held a grudge against Boston ever since he was drafted.

Mister Snich,

"Nothing "obvious" about it. Henry's investments are UP for the year."

How do you know this? Do you manage his investments?

You're overlooking that fact that 2008 was only Youk's 3rd full season in the majors. If you trend his yearly improvement , more than 10% per year in almost every category, by the time he's been in the majors as long as Tex he's just as good or better than Tex. Youk's improvement just this year was huge and who knows how much better he can get! Youk was very close to Tex this year and if he improves next year as much as he improved this year he passes Tex. I believe that the Red Sox are making a big mistake if they don't sign him before he is eligible for free agency!

Youk is under Red Sox control until 2010. There is NO reason to pay him now. Duh!

The main point with Youkilis versus Texeira is that Texeira is more of an Alex Rodriguez type. He has never put any team over the top in big situations. Youk and Pedroia are of the same breed. They will make big hits when it counts and not only put up stats. Players like Youk are the reason the Sox have won 2 world series while the Yanks, who care nothing about the psychology of putting together a group of players that work together, are on the outside looking in. The one fault I see in Epstein is that he's willing to give a lot to get a little from outside free agents but is pretty tight with the great players he already has.

They should do what it takes to sign Youk! He's proven he can play in Boston and has proven his value to the team. Why were they willing to spend all that money on Tex and not Youk? In my mind, Youk is worth it, Tex isn't. Could Tex have shifted to 3rd when Lowell got hurt last year? This is really annoying.

The Sux usually make sound baseball decisions (signing Curt "The Mouth" Schilling last winter being the exception), so I don't understand why they wouldn't want to lock up Youk for the long term. He plays first and third bases plus the outfield well and probably carries the baggage on road trips as well, you couldn't ask for a player to do more than he does. I don't know, maybe he's asking for too much because I can't see the Sux braintrust being that stupid to risk losing him when free agency comes calling.

This story begins with the Grinch who name happen to be John Henry.We can complain all we want about the Yankees and Stienberiner`s,but its Jon Henry that stole christmas from the fan of this team.This team had 35 to 40 million to spend to get to last year salary level,they tell us that Tex contact was to high,yet they still have all this money to spend,and they are not doing,in the disguse of keeping our farm system intact.Henry is right we can not compete with the money of the yankees,but if we lose player and do nothing,and bring down payroll we surely not compete I figure they could have gone 25 million a year for tex,5 million a year for a fourth or fifth outfilder and 8 to 10 million for varitex and the salary is the same as last year.John Henry should call a press confrence and say listen we cannot compete with the yankees and we will not tried to anymore,this way fans can decide before the season if they want to buy tickets. And now no youk

Youk is going to ARBITRATION.... so I am going to guess he will make 8-12 million (he has the awards and performance to be 1/2 of what TEXMEX is getting)...... so, just get it down now.

Who's worse, overpaid players with yearly stints on the DL, or great players who earn their huge salaries and take off an occasional "i'm great, i'm taking the day off" day?

Since the Yankees have the revenue to continue outbidding other teams for any players they want, the Red Sox are going to have to do two things: Reward their own home-grown stars who produce with multi-year contracts and (2) keep pouring in money in order to continue to develop a strong farm system. By doing that, with a strong farm system which produces players at the ML level each year, they will maximize the results from what cash they have.

There's still plenty of time to negotiate a multi-year contract.for Youk.

To all you folks who think this is a smart move, while Youkillis wear down his first year, this is not uncommon for first year players. Youk got beat up his second year, getting hit by pitches can really reduce your effectiveness. But to his credit, he got into great shape his third year and finished the season strong. While one season does not make a good barometer of his future success, who would you have wanted to see come to bat with the bases juiced? Tex or Youk? Youkillis was on a tear the last part of the season and was a big reason the Red Sox had a post season at all. Lars Anderson might be good, he might not be, you can never tell with minor leaguers. Also Anderson is subpar defensively and factors more into a replacement for Ortiz than Youkillis. In Youkillis the Redsox have a gold glove caliber first baseman, who can hit, play third and outfield as well. While signing Pedroia and not him, I would not blame Youkillis if he left in 2010, not for the Yankees - who are set at First and Third - but for the Angels who can pay him and use his skills at firstbase.

Now Youk understands how the other sox players that were ran out of town felt. If i were Youk I would protect his health as much as possible since the sox are not willing to invest in you then in all reality he should not take anymore extra chances in getting hurt and then really be irrelevant. Bring MANNY, LOWE back and kick THEO out the door.

Manny the MUTT may be coming back to the sox.... I would not mind, as long as he had a stipulation in his contract for games played and behavior. I agree with an earlier poster.... Manny delivered stats and worked hard to be a GREAT batter. Sign-up the MUTT and have Ortiz slap his $tupidA$$ around if he gets lazy.

Marc -

Tight with the players they already have? They gave Ortiz a huge contract extension to keep him away from free agency. They did the same thing with Beckett and just a few weeks ago did the same thing with Pedroia.
They can't do it with everyone, and again I ask: Why is it the Red Sox fault for not getting a deal done? Do we know what the offer was? How do we know Youkilis, a player who has 2 more years of arbitration eligbility and therefore ZERO leverage, wasn't asking for a $14 million a year contract for 6 years?

There was alot of talk about the Yanks NOT wanting Tex, just joining the talks to drive the price up... APPLAUSE to RED SOX management!!!! I BELIEVE that's what they were doing from the START!!!! Our First YOUK.... RULES!!! Now sign him and let the Yanks have YET ANOTHER OVERPAID-ABOUT-TO-UNDERPERFORM-NEAR-STAR (I hope)... Sign the YOUK!!! Beantown Loves'm!!!

Offer Youk 4yrs 50 million.... It's fair. Didn't Pedie take 45?

Look for Red Sox mgmt to drop 20% of salary between now and 2010. They can't afford to be big spenders any more. Fenway will see the end of sellouts in 2009. The economy sux if you haven't noticed. John Henry has.

Look for Red Sox mgmt to drop 20% of salary between now and 2010. They can't afford to be big spenders any more. Fenway will see the end of sellouts in 2009. The economy sux if you haven't noticed. John Henry has.

All kinds of good news from the Red Sox Nation!!!! As a huge Red Sox fan down here in New Jersey, I will never hear the end of it from all these Skankee fans all winter. Great!

Have to agree with Troy Brown (21). Move Youk to 3rd when Anderson comes in to be the first baseman. No, I am not pleased that Teixiera went to the Yankees, but the Sox have the players in house to do fine now and the Yankees just have a collection of stars. Too many egos do not mix well and I predict will hurt their cause. The biggest problem isn't the Yankees, it is Major League Baseball! There is no fiscal discipline and if you have $423 million to spend on 4 players, it's ok to do. To heck with the other teams. I feel for the franchises that just don't have the money. Baseball is such an unfair sport...and yes I know the Sox spend. too..but it doesnt make it right. I'm glad the Sox didnt open the bank to Tex or overrated Sabbathia. We have a great farm system now, we can develop our own players and not throw away $400 million which by the way will eventually come out of OUR pockets. Don't forget that!

The stats showing how productive Youk is compared to Teixeira probably provide the answer as to why the Sox did not sign him. Youk and Bick probably were looking for at least double or triple what Pedroia got. The Red Sox most likely figured they have two more years to wait and see...so why not?

The Pedroia deal worked nicely for both parties. It could work equally well for both parties to wait it out, in the Youk scenario.

I had NO IDEA that Youk will be 30 at the start of the season. Wow.

I predict that Teixeiras' numbers will be down this coming year as will attendance for baseball. Teixeira was not worth $180M. The Sox aught to just say to Boras look somewhere else to play your funny games. It's too bad because Veritek will be the one to suffer by this. At this point I just hope that Tampa Bay takes the title again this coming year
Sox need a good catcher and another starter and we'll be laughing at the Yanks again. Merry Christmas.

Useless stats. Tough to compare the two when you have one playing most of his games in hitter-friendly Fenway Park and the other playing mostly in pitcher-friendly parks like Anaheim and Atlanta.

Bad move for the Sox!
Not a very good business move its too obvious if you lock up Youk now you'd save a few bucks (millions) long term. Youk will get his money no doubt when the Yankees sign him for Tex type dollars in a couple of years. Way to go Red Sox management lets just let every potential hall of fame player just slip away because of poor management and very little loyalty to your players.

they should give him Texeira Money. Has has already proved himself numerous times ON THAT TEAM, came within the top 5 of the MVP voting, gold glove, versatile, team player, incredible stats, consitant and a leader. he switches between first and third like its no big deal and he has power. hes done more than texeira has ever done for the sox so why not give him atleast HALF of what they wouldve given to texeira, its kind of a slap in the face to alot fo the red sox team mates when they go for a player like that and then wont do something with proven players.

There should be no long term salaries in professional sports. Every player should have a base salary, say $100,000, and the rest should be incentives. Play well, earn bonuses, don't and you still make more money than most people for playing a game, so shut up. I hate the fact that food, clothes, everything is more expensive because the companies that advertise and end up paying these player's salaries pass the costs on to me. If this play for pay system came into play, you know how many young ballplayers would decide to do something else? None. As for the current millionaires, good riddance. I'd love to see a new group of young, nungry, hustlers.

I am a little troubled that the Sox didn't sign Youk, but I guess this is a good test for him. We'll see how he plays when he's one year closer to free agency. Beware, however, if Youkilis produces then he'll want more money and more years out of Red Sox management. If they don't step up, then I see Youkilis hitting the free agent market after 2010.

Hey...Sox have new uniform...wow!!!!

NO Tex NO Youk No Future!!!

Please sign Albert Pujols when he becomes a FA....PLEEEEEZE

Typical Sox. Squeeze their own players and try to throw money around to sign other players.

Youkkkkkkk! Please sign him! He and Pedroia are the reason I love to watch 155 RS games a year!

I think the sox should go after Fielder!

I'm slightly confused. Are there really people on here who think the Yankees are going to sign Youkilis in a couple of years? Even if I overlooked everything absurd with this- where would he play? On Arods back? Or did you think they are benching Teix for the other 6 years of his no trade deal?

Wow...what a tale of two cities this offseason...
New York:
Sign 2 of the greatest pitchers today, and added pop to their lineup.
Boston:
Traded Crisp to KC for a Middle Reliver.

wow

Oh! You cant forget the great new road unis and hats! guess thats where all the profit went!

There are merely two things to remember. 1. This is a business, even if we fans dream otherwise. 2. This current Red Sox ownership group has brought us 2 world series championships in the last 5 years. And if Beckett didn't have an oblique injury, it would have been 3.

They know what they are doing. Chill out and enjoy the ride. With a farm system as deep as they have, with studs like Lars Anderson, and the ability to pull out the wallet at will, the Sox will contend for years to come. With championships in '04 and '07, in Theo I trust.

that is so disrespectufl to not only Youk but the rest of the team. How can the sign Pedroia (not complaining) to a long term, h igh paying salary and give you a hard time,. personally, maybe Youk should find another more aggressive agent? not boras of course but someone looking out for him to get him top dollar cuz he deserves it. hes consistant, some of his numbers are better than tex's, and if they're not higher they are damn well close. AND hes a proven asset. Texeria is not. hes never made it through the first round of playoffs yet youk can carry the team. I personally believe youk is better than tex, its just the media and boras who give those people maximum exposeure. Youk deserves at the minimum, half the offter tex got. Sometimes the sox front office arent always to bright,. remove your ego

About half the folks on this thread are moaning and griping about Bosox not signing Tex or extending Youk, saying this etam is going down the tubes.

Huh? Bunch of fair-weather fans---this is a team that came within 3 runs in the seventh game of ALCS of making it to the World Series, with Lowell injured and Papi at half-speed.

So what if Yanks overspend for three players---an overrated Teixiera, overweight CC and overcinjured Burnett. Yanks still lack chemistry? Have some faith, man. Relax.

Vermonte

Great, no Texeira he will add to the jinx that ARod brought with him. Keep Youk he is a hard baseball player, he plays to win. Hope Theo gets his brain back. Nobody is worth that kind of money, it might be a business but common sense must prevail. Merry Christmas

I'm french and I would like to give my opinion about Youkilis. We just loose Texeira and NY is making a big effort to have a good team. And I think Red Sox should propose a long term contract to Youk; he puts the pressure on pitchers, Red Sox fans like him, and he has commercial partners: Kevin Youkilis makes earn money. So Youkilis is a good investment, both sporting and commercial.

Youk should doo what is best for HIM. The Red Sox ( and I am a fan for over 60 years) have not been loyal to their players....why should the players be loyal to them. Big money players don't always perform once they get the money. The Sox should be loyal to their players...HEAR THAT THEO

This is the start of the downfall.....

If I were a smart GM I would not be very happy with my owner about right now, thus John Henry's email to the AP last week.
Now the sox mgmt look like joe jerkoff, (offer an outrageos amount of money to a free agent not apart of the team and fall short of signing him), then low-ball there own workhorse. Theo must have thought he could offer Youk "Pedrioa Money" and Youk pissed in his wheaties. I can only hope the arbitratior grants a minimum of $10 million to Youk.
KNOW THIS: The redsox screwed this up; The sox should have done what it took to aquire Teixeira, and then trade Youkilis to the Padres for Jake Peavey. Now they look like dopes. I smell another "Nomar Scenario" brewing with hate and discontent just around the corner. NICE JOB THEO!!!!!

I'm likely not giving the Sox more of my money unless I see them spend money on players. The only money the Sox will get from me in 2009 is their cut from my MLB package.