Kevin Youkilis doesn’t appear to be in a hurry to figure out his future, even if the Yankees certainly could use an answer.
With Alex Rodriguez out at least part of next season because of upcoming left hip surgery, the Yankees made Youkilis a one-year, $12 million offer, but the third baseman doesn’t have a timeline for making a decision.
The Yankees may be forced to wait, because what is left on the free-agent market — players such as Mark Reynolds and Jack Hannahan — isn’t all that appealing.
They also are exploring the market for a right fielder and seem to have a void at catcher, but third base has become an unexpected, glaring hole.
Though the Yankees would be the most lucrative choice for Youkilis in 2013, the Indians also are interested in the Ohio native and Cleveland’s two-year offer may be worth more than $18 million.
Youkilis is hardly the player he was in his prime with the Red Sox, but he played better last season after being traded to the White Sox in June.
Since the Yankees are currently lacking power from the right side with Russell Martin in Pittsburgh and switch hitter Nick Swisher headed out of town on the free-agent market, Youkilis would be a good fit until Rodriguez returns — at something near full strength, the Yankees hope.
Despite the sometimes sordid history between Youkilis and the Yankees, Robinson Cano said their former Boston rival would fit well in The Bronx.
Youkilis and Joba Chamberlain had some run-ins, but Cano didn’t anticipate that being a problem.
“I don’t think [Chamberlain] ever hit him on purpose,” Cano told the Boston Herald while at David Ortiz’s charity golf tournament in the Dominican Republic yesterday. “I would tell you that he would be the first guy who would be happy to see him on our team because we know he’s the kind of hitter who would help us a lot because he’s been in that situation before.”
Regardless, the Yankees may not have much choice, especially since Youkilis would consider a one-year deal, which fits into the Yankees’ plan to free up payroll to get under $189 million in 2014.
The Bombers did make some third base news, announcing Jayson Nix cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
* The Yankees avoided arbitration with Brett Gardner, signing him to a one-year deal worth $2.85 million after he missed most of last season with an injured right (non-throwing) elbow. If he stays healthy, he figures to be the starting left fielder in 2013, though there have been discussions of moving him to center because of his defense.If he stays healthy, he figures to be the starting left fielder in 2013, though there have been discussions of moving him to center because of his defense.
* Former Yankee Andruw Jones reportedly has agreed to a one-year deal with the Rakuten Golden Eagles, a Japanese Pacific League team, according to Nikkan Sports, as translated by NPB Tracker.
Nikkan Sports reports the deal is worth approximately $3.5 million. The team is expected to make the announcement official after the 35-year-old Jones passes a physical.