Cesar Tordesillas

New York, NY

Veteran third baseman Kevin Youkilis has verbally agreed to a one-year deal worth $12 million with the New York Yankees, according to sources.

Youkilis, who is expected to replace the injured Alex Rodriguez at third base, hit.235 with 19 homers and 60 RBIs in 111 games with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox.

The Red Sox traded him to the Chicago White Sox after feuding with then-Boston manager Bobby Valentine.

Aside from Youkilis, the Yankees are expected to sign outfielder Ichiro Suzuki to a one-year deal.

The signing of Youkilis came as a surprise as the Yankees were hoping to sign either Jeff Keppinger or Eric Chavez to man third base.

However, Keppinger signed a three-year deal with the White Sox while Chavez inked a one-year deal worth $3 million with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Rodriguez is scheduled to undergo hip surgery in January and could return by June. By then, it is unsure whether he could play defense or be the team's designated hitter.

 

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Yankees Sign Kevin Youkilis; Ichiro Expected to Re-Sign