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Kevin Youkilis has chosen the New York Yankees over the Cleveland Indians, opting to join his former rival instead of his former manager.
Youkilis was deciding between taking the one-year, $12 million offer that Ken Rosenthal of FOX reports he eventually accepted or a two-year, $18 million deal from Cleveland, so Youkilis took the deal with more money per season than the one which guaranteed him the most overall cash. His decision might have been aided by Cleveland's decision to sign first baseman Mark Reynolds Monday. With Reynolds ready to play first base and Lonnie Chisenhall already set to play third base, there was no real reason for either Youkilis or the Indians to go through with the deal.
Reynolds has more power than Youkilis, but has never hit well for average. Youkilis had a down year in 2012, hitting over 50 points below his career average, but had 19 homers and continued to be as skilled at getting on base as ever.