Based on their generous offer to Kevin Youkilis, the Yankees certainly want him in pinstripes.
According to his agent, the former Red Sox infielder is thinking long and hard about filling in for Alex Rodriguez.
“He’s giving it serious consideration,’’ Joe Bick said of the Yankees’ one-year, $12 million offer made last week at the Winter Meetings in Nashville.
Yet, as of early last night Bick or the Yankees didn’t know if Youkilis had decided to become a Yankee.
“If he has [decided] he hasn’t told me,’’ Bick said at 6 p.m.
Youkilis hasn’t told his Uncle Ed, either.
His nephew’s name is on the lips of every Yankees fan, but Edward Youkilis insists he doesn’t have inside information.
“I’m excited but I’m waiting to hear, I know nothing,’’ Edward said from his bar/restaurant, Edward’s, in Tribeca. “Every time the phone rings I think it’s somebody calling me with the news [that Youkilis is a Yankee.] I spoke to his father and he didn’t know.’’
While the Yankees are confident their offer is fair and attractive, they are a bit concerned because Youkilis hasn’t made a decision.
One option for Youkilis vanished Sunday when the Indians signed Mark Reynolds. Cleveland had offered Youkilis a two-year deal for $17 million.
The Dodgers have shown lukewarm interest in Youkilis, who lives in California in the off-season. He has been linked to the Mariners, as well.
A Dodgers source said, “Don’t go heavy” when asked about the level of seriousness the club had in Youkilis.
Edward Youkilis says his nephew has talked positively in the past about playing in New York.
“It would be amazing, it would be great for him to come to New York,’’ said Youkilis’ uncle, whose place on West Broadway is across the street from Tiny’s, which has Rangers connections.
Edward’s has been open for a dozen years and Kevin has been a big leaguer for nine seasons; 8 1/2 of them with the Red Sox. So how come Edward’s didn’t become a Red Sox fans haven/hangout in New York?
“We didn’t make a big deal of it,’’ Edward said of promoting the place as being owned by a Youkilis family member while his nephew played for the Red Sox and a member of sports’ fiercest rivalry. “But it would be great for the bar if he was a Yankee.’’
Kevin Youkilis, who is Tom Brady’s brother-in-law, was at Gillette Stadium last night for the Texans-Patriots game, a meeting of the AFC East and AFC South leaders. According to Edward Youkilis, it was possible his nephew didn’t want to cause a distraction for the Patriots and the Brady family.
“Maybe he doesn’t want to take away from the excitement of the game,’’ Edward said of his nephew not announcing a decision.
The Yankees are willing to wait on Youkilis because the list of free agent third basemen significantly drops off after him.
Unsigned are Jack Hannahan, Placido Polanco, Brandon Inge and Scott Rolen. Yankees prospect David Adams, who was moved to third from second base late last year in the minor leagues, isn’t ready for big league action. And the Yankees insist they view Eduardo Nunez as a shortstop.
Youkilis had been bothered by physical ailments the last three seasons when he played 102, 120 and 122 games. Last year he batted a career-low .235 with 19 homers and 60 RBIs for the Red Sox and White Sox. He made $12.25 million last year.