Another Sox Jumps Ship

Another Red Sox has joined the archenemy New York Yankees. The one player the Yankees faithful loved to hate is now a guy those same fans will love to cheer.

Kevin Youkilis will now join Johnny Damon, Roger Clemens, and Babe Ruth (to name a few) that have jumped ship to come to the “dark side” by verbally agreeing to a 1 year, $12 million deal with the New York Yankees, according to sources.

Youkilis’ options were dwindling the moment the Cleveland Indians signed Mark Reynolds. So, Youkilis decided to do the unthinkable and sign with the Bronx Bombers. The Yankees also got what they need, a third baseman. However, that is not all that Youk will bring to the table. He is a very gritty, clutch, hardnosed ball player, and a type of guy that resembles former Yankee Paul O’Neill.

So the Yankees got their man but this might be the first of many moves the Yankees could potentially make. Ichiro Suzuki seems to be the next man that will be signed completing their starting outfield. But that might not be all.

The Yanks could look to deal Curtis Granderson, Phil Hughes or Ivan Nova. There have also been rumblings that the Yankees are checking in on Josh Hamilton and essentially could get him and stay under the $189 million cap. They will have to trade Granderson in order to do that but Cashman seems to always have something up his sleeve and maybe something big is brewing.

            

Yankees 3rd Base Options Dwindling

    When news surfaced about Alex Rodriguez needing another hip surgery on another hip, the list of free agent targets grew for the Yankees. Rodriguez is expected to have his surgery in January and the recovery is expected to be 4 to 6 months. However, Alex might not play at all in 2013. Joe Girardi believes the Yankees third basemen will have to play 162 games next season. "I think you have to assume those guys can play out the whole year depending on when Alex gets back," Girardi said. "Our hope is it's going to be four to six months. You can't predict what's going to happen, and you can't predict how he's going to come back." The Yankees should be concerned. Alex might not come back and the Yanks might be stuck with Eduardo NunEEEEEz at third base. Why? The Yankees have been targeting many third basemen after the news about A-Rod. They have targeted Jeff Keppinger, Eric Chavez, and Kevin Youkilis. However, Keppinger (3 yrs, $12 million) and Chavez (1 year, $3 million) are off the market. Jeff signed with the White Sox today and Chavez signed with the Diamondbacks.

The Yankees are not hard on former Red Sox Youkilis because he is asking for more money than the Yankees are willing to pay. At this point they might not have a choice.  I do not see the Yankees standing pat at third base and going with a platoon of Jayson Nix and Nunez throughout the year. I believe they get something done with someone and may have to be willing to pay a little more then they want to get someone.