What about Youkilis?

I like Youkilis but he's wrapped a little tight to be a captain.

Home-grown Co-Captains

I think the eventual co-captain idea is a good one, Youk is kind of the heart and emotion, Pedroia is kind of the level headed grit, but Youk has to be willing to accept a long term and I don't see that happening until free agency.

"...ay, que pasa?. Is all a-baout respek.. all a-boau respek..."

Youk could swing with that chin alone. He don't need no stinkin' bat! If you sign J.D. Who you can sign Chin Youkilis. GO SOX!

I would rather trade him and keep lowell. We could get more for him.

There's only one word that can sum this up:
YOUUUUUUUUUUUK!!

We love you YOUK!!!

Youklis can play third base, Lowell can be traded.

gotta disagree with you there bob, he's perfect to be the captain, his energy and love for the game is unparallel....not to mention he can back it up, he hits, he feilds, always plays....ideal if you ask me, who else would/could be?

Pedroia for Captain!

I dont agree I think that Youk leads by example( J D Drew take note) plays hard,runs out every play and plays hurt!!!

This one is a lot tougher than Pedroia. Dustin is only 25 and his 6 year deal made a lot of sense on both sides. Youk is already 30 in March and in his prime. I'd like to see the Sox offer something like 5 years, $60 million. Limits risk on both sides. Sox buy out first 3 years of FA and get a quality corner infielder through age 34, Youk is set for life and doesn't have to worry about a decline or injurying himself.

They best wise up and get this guy the money he deserves. I don't think he wants to play anywhere other than Boston, but let's wrap him up and not even give him the option to consider any place else. He's a perfect fit for Boston, the Sox, and the fans that love him for the passionate player he is!!!

Nobody needs to wear a "C" on their shirt in baseball. Nobody needs the official title of captain. Clubhouse leadership naturally plays out, without regard to official proclamation. In ice hockey, the "C" and "A" gives you a little freedom in discussing issues with the on ice officials. Otherwise, the title of captain is probably more important to the ego of a high school athlete.

Appreciate Youk the player, the person, and see if we can't lock this lad up for years to come.

Pedro & Manny for co-captains....

The way Youk has been playing the game, the toughness, dedication, grit, and overall excellence, I don't see him slowing down any time soon so if the sox can wrap him up for 5 years without breaking the back I think they have to do it. He is already playing way over his pay grade and deserves a little appreciation.

There is nothing more foolish than the disussion of who the "Captain" of a baseball team should be.

It is nonsense like this that makes it embarassing to be a Red Sox fan.

I think it's obvious the only one who has what it takes to where the "C" on his chest is no longer with the big club. That's right....Izzy Alcantarra-leadership is his middle-name. He exudes good sportsmanship.

Amen to your opinion, Anastasia !!!

Youk rules, so if we can work out a decent multi-year deal, great. But I also think it's a good thing to make him play one more season at last year's level before we roll out $10mil+ per season offers. He's trending up, which is great, but the Sox have leverage here, and can afford to go 1 more year before giving him mega-bucks.

THE NUMBERS TWELVE AND THIRTEEN COMMENTS SAY IT ALL.
THIS YOUK IS A MENSCH,WHICH NO ONE CAN DENY.HE'S THE TYPE
OF PLAYER I'D WANT FOR MY TEAM.

sign youk to a 2 yr contract. id prefer no player be signed past 32 due to the declining phase. if we get teixeira we have no choice but to sign him past 32, but we do have a choice with youk. either give him his fitting 2 yr contract at the cost he's worth or just play it yr by yr from here on out. he's too old to be locked up long term. but he does deserve his full worth during each yr he is signed.

C's on jerseys are stitched to sell jerseys and t-shirts. I prefer the Dick Williams approach myself.

I concur that a captaincy is played out in leadership style in the clubhouse and on/off the field. I can live with Youk or Pedroia assuming that post! I think a 3-4 year deal with an option would be good for Youk & the Sox
but who is to say

Right on, Pain, but it could be worse - you could be a Yankee fan like me (long gone from NYC, but inbred, as I was born less than a mile from the Stadium), who gags when catching up by reading the sports sections of the two NY tabloids (Daily News and Post) and has to wade through the guano that gets posted.
Meanwhile, checking in here for the latest on Teixeira and y'all. As for Youk, love him as a player, and would take him on my team in a heartbeat; he, along with Pedroia, are the heart and soul of the Sox. Reminds me of Paul O'Neill - same kind of fire and determination to win. Youk winding up with the Yanks while still young would not be pleasant for Sox fans (would he and Joba be buds?;) .
Meanwhile, I'd love to know how Theo is going to get anything for Lowell if you land Teixeira - that's pretty serious surgery he's coming back from. At his salary he's a major risk for any prospective trading partner.

Youk could be a captain for the Dirt Dogs!

i know dick's grandson!! go me and go sox!

Youkillis is arbitration eligible which could be worth $10 million a year? At 30 years old the Red Sox could package him with another prospect in a trade. Youk has value in a trade the Sox may view his salary better placed for a catcher? Youk is versitale and very durable, he just might price himself out of Boston?

If every American approached their job with Youkilis's intensity, the country would not be in a recession.

is youk worth 15 mil for 5? i think so

I would rather keep Mike Lowell and deal Youk and possibly Bucholtz and Bowden to San Diego for Peavy if we sign Tex. I have the feeling that Youk wants to go to Cincy after 2010 as a free agent and we would have Peavy through 2014.

Youk is still a rising star, and seemed to be entering his prime last year. A late bloomer, his best is yet to come. With Dustin (and Lester & Pap) he has become, as was said earlier, the heart & soul of the team. He will be a star for another +/-5 years, and is a keeper. I have no idea why any Red Sox fan would even consider trading Youk anywhere for anything. Makes no sense at all.

The Sox ONLY needs right now are another Ace like Sheets, Smoltz or Penny who are FA's (no trade), maybe Teix, also a FA (no trade), and a catcher like Kelly, Salty or Montero who will require far less in a trade than Youk. So, trade our man Youk, the hero of Moneyball, Gold Glove, All-Star, Near MVP, Club leader to get who???

No more talk of trade for Youk. He is foundational to one of the best teams in baseball, and Theo should take steps now to insure he retires in a Red Sox uni. Although only a full time player for three years, he can be a RSN link to both 2007 and 2004. I thought 5/$50 was about right.

Am I missing something with all theis "Captain" talk until Tek signs somewhere else he's our captain (whether we agree with the idea of a captaon or not).

tex and youk are about the same player. maybe sign youk, smoltz, oliver perez and another starter?

Youk is just too valuable a player for the Sox to trade away in the event that they get Texiera. To me, as much as I like Mike Lowell, he's the guy who will go, or if he stays, he may wind up as a backup player. Youk is MVP caliber and Lowell just isn't on that level at this stage of his career.

I'm sure Theo and company have considered what the ramifications of signing Texiera would have on the existing players, and I am sure they have already decided what their strategy will be if they are fortunate to land Texiera.

Not sure why everybody's jumping to the conclusion that we're going to trade Lowell if we sign Teixeira. He'll have to prove he's pretty healthy before we'll be able to deal him...plus with Papi's declining health potentially an issue keeping Lowell as insurance makes some sense.

Yea, Youk is wound a little tight, sort of like Garnett.

Yea, Youk is wound a little tight, sort of like Garnett.

I dont know what the T'rade Youk, keep Lowell talk' is. Lowell is done.

I think they should give Youk a contract until at least 2013 quickly, even more so if they don't land Tex. He's always been a solid player so far putting up great numbers (most better than dusty) and is great for his flexibility between 1st and 3rd

Youk has given his all, day in and day out, to heighten the Red Sox club goals. And relative to MLB salaries, he has quietly accepted peanuts. The Sox should step up and pay the man his due in a multi-year contract. Youk is a Boston baseball treasure, a great example for little leaguers and for us all.

Giraud...love the comments, that is some funny ISH...Like Steve Martin in the Jerk. We dont need much. All we need is a slugger, an ace, and a star catcher. Is that it? LOL.

Sign Youk before spring training. He is a hard worker, a stand up guy, and a great company man. It will be good for our karma, since we are about to screw Mike Lowell who took the home town discount, and a year later is getting the SHAFT.

Rickb, you're right. We can get more for Youk. However, that guy is making chump change, and will not hit free agency until after the 2010 season as this article states. He's also 7 or 8 years younger than Mike Lowell, and isn't coming off of hip surgery. The ball club would be better off for the next 5-7 years with Kevin Youkilis playing a corner a position at gold glove caliber, while hitting over .285 and driving in 90+ RBI. Additionally, perhaps you didn't notice this, Youk outperformed Teixeira this season. I'd rather have a 3-4-5 of Ortiz, Tex, and Youk than Lowell in there. I love what he's done here, but fro a business stand point, he'd be the odd man out.

The Nation is blessed to have Youk. Rip up his flippin' contract N-O-W.

Give him a 5-year year, 55 Million.

I trust 'Tek will be back in Boston now that Boras has humiliated him with a failed free agency. Let's honor the Captain for as long as we have him.

Pedroia will not need a C on his chest to continue running the clubhouse. The smallest guy on the team has the brightest belief system. He's a winnah.

Tek is the captain that controls the pitching staff and destiny of the Sox, until he's gone, no one's name should be mentioned!

tech is captain...or am i missing something. think sox w/ be fools let him go....one of the best catchers in the game. know last yeat twasn't his greatest b/ maybe just maybe his personal life fell apart in all had something to do w/ it, family break ups are very stressful................ hang on to teck, he's a red sox guy & don't let him get away. youk.....again don't let him get away, know can be a hot head b/ he's pretty great, offence & defense...........

Was Jim Rice a captain at one point?

so, let me get this straight...sign teixiera to play first base, lowell at 3rd, ortiz the dh...then resign youkilis to play...er, wait, you're out of positions that youkilis can play...i'm a little confused. can someone explain this to me?

Why Can't The sox take Lowell and put him at shortstop, move Youk to 3rd.

So tough on the heartstrings. Youk is the ultimate Sox guy and if he were 5'4" probably the MVP last year (sorry Dustin). But I totally understand if the Sox don't want to give him a long contract - especially with the $$ going to Texieria. And I understand the guy has never had a payday. If he goes elsewhere for the money I wish him the best and hope he gets a standing o when he plays at Fenway. He's a class guy.