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Take it from somebody who has been on each side of the aisle for the most intense rivalry in sports: Kevin Youkilis is going to be a wonderful fit in The Bronx after spending eight-plus seasons as a Red Sox.
Youkilis accepted the Yankees’ one-year deal for $12 million last night and will be a Yankee once he passes a physical.
To Johnny Damon, his former Boston teammate, Youkilis will have no trouble adjusting to being a Yankee after bleeding Boston red for years.
“He will be fine,’’ Damon said. “Especially since Boston traded him. Now he realizes it’s a business and you have to take care of yourself.’’
It took Youkilis, who will turn 34 in March, six days to accept the Yankees’ offer to fill in for third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who is slated for hip surgery next month. The Yankees expect Rodriguez to return at some point this season, but there is no guarantee that will happen.
“[Youkilis] will fit in well,’’ Damon said. “The Red Sox traded him thinking they would be better with [Will] Middlebrooks. It would be different if the Red Sox offered him a deal. It’s a good move for the Yankees and Kevin Youkilis.’’
As for what Youkilis brings to the lineup, Damon recalled how pitchers loathed facing him.
“We all know he is a pain in the butt to pitch against,’’ Damon said. “He will be a great sub for A-Rod and can sub for Mark Teixeira at first. It’s a good sign.’’
Damon doesn’t believe the situation between Joba Chamberlain, who has thrown pitches behind Youkilis several times, and the newest Yankee will be a factor.
“Joba gets pumped up, especially when he was a young player,’’ said Damon, who hopes to play this coming season after being released by the Indians last summer.
With the Yankees planning to go with Francisco Cervelli or Austin Romine behind the plate and Youkilis at third, the Yankees are close to bringing Ichiro Suzuki back.
According to a person with knowledge of the situation, Suzuki’s signing “most likely’’ will get done within days.
That leaves the Yankees looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder and a DH, which could be Raul Ibanez.
Youkilis, who hit a career-low .235 with 19 homers and 60 RBIs for the White Sox and Red Sox last season, turned down a two-year deal for $17 million from the Indians and a chance to reunite with former Red Sox manager Terry Francona.
The Dodgers had lukewarm interest in Youkilis, who was also linked to the Mariners.
With the Yankees giving Hiroki Kuroda $15 million, Andy Pettitte and Youkilis $12 million and Mariano Rivera $10 million, they have spent $49 million for four players on one-year deals.
As for Ichiro, he could be back within days. The 39-year-old drew interest from several clubs but will rejoin the Yankees.
Ichiro, who became a Stadium fan favorite last summer after being acquired from Seattle, made $17 million last year. Thanks to a seven-game stretch in August when he went 10-for-19 (.526) and a 14-for-20 (.700) effort over five games in late September, Ichiro batted .322 in 67 games as a Yankee.
Since Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson each hit left-handed, Ichiro’s return will necessitate the Yankees acquiring a right-handed hitting outfielder to play against lefties. They have talked to free-agent Scott Hairston’s representatives.
george.king@nypost.com