Red Sox Lock Up Youkilis Through 2012

From Peter Gammons: The Red Sox locked up another of their young stars to a long-term deal Thursday. Boston avoided arbitration with Kevin Youkilis, agreeing to a four-year contract with the first baseman worth more than $40 million, sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons. The deal includes an option for a fifth year. Youkilis enjoyed a breakout season in 2008, hitting .312 with 29 home runs and 115 RBIs.

For Jim Rice, The Hall Finally Calls

After a long wait Jim Rice was finally elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame today receiving 76.4% of the vote, 75% was required to earn election. Rice will be joined by Rickey Henderson who was named on 94.8% of ballots. Rice played his entire career for the Boston Red Sox from 1974-89. Rice was an 8 time all star and the 1978 American League Most Valuable Player. In his rookie year of 1975 he finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting and third in the American League Most Valuable Player voting, both awards were won by teammate Fred Lynn. In 1974 while playing at Pawtucket he was named the AAA Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and won the Triple Crown. Rice finished in the top five of American League MVP voting six times.

2009 Boston Red Sox

This is a listing of players the Red Sox have under control for 2009. This list will be updated regularly. Some lists maybe incomplete. Players under Red Sox control who will be with Boston on opening day. Pos....Player....................2009 Salary .C..... 1B.....Kevin Youkilis............$6,000,000 2B.....Dustin Pedroia............$1,500,000 3B.....Mike Lowell...............$12,000,000 SS.....Jed Lowrie................TBD LF.....Jason Bay.................$7,500,000 CF.....Jacoby Ellsbury...........TBD RF.....JD Drew...................$14,000,000 DH.....David Ortiz...............$12,500,000 .C.....Josh Bard.................$1,700,000 IF.....Julio Lugo................$9,000,000 OF.....Rocco Baldelli............$500,000 UT.....Mark Kotsay...............$1,500,000 SP.....Josh Beckett..............$10,500,000 SP.....Daisuke Matsuzaka.........$8,000,000 SP.....Jon Lester................TBD SP.....Brad Penny................$5,000,000 SP.....Tim Wakefield.............$4,000,000* RP.....Jonathan Papelbon.........TBD& RP.....Hideki Okajima............$1,750,000% RP.....Manny Delcarmen...........TBD RP.....Ramon Ramirez.............TBD RP.....Justin Masterson..........TBD RP..... RP..... *While the Red Sox have picked up the 2009 option on Wakefield, there are rumors that he will retire prior to the 2009 season, so while he appears to be set to be part of the 2009 Red Sox this could change. &Arbitration eligible for 2009. %Option that has been activated. Players signed who will start 2009 on Disabled List SP.....John Smoltz...............$5,500,000 Players under Red Sox control who may or may not return in 2009. SS.....Julio Lugo................$9,000,000# RP.....Javier Lopez..............TBD& RP.....David Aardsma.............DFA* #Under contract for 2009, could be traded. %Team options for 2009. &Arbitration eligible for 2009. *Designated for assignment to make room on 40 man roster for Mark Kotsay, could be sent to AAA if he clears waivers. Players under Red Sox control who may or may not start 2009 in Boston. SP.....Clay Buchholz.............TBD UT.....Jeff Bailey...............TBD SP.....Michael Bowden............TBD OF.....Chris Carter..............TBD SP.....Devern Hansack............TBD .C.....George Kottaras...........TBD SP.....David Pauley..............TBD RP.....Chris Smith...............TBD SP.....Charlie Zink..............TBD UT.....Paul McAnulty............. The players listed here are players who could play a significant role in the 2009 Boston Red Sox. This list maybe incomplete and will be updated. Updates: 9/15/08 - Added arbitration tag to Papelbon 11/19/08 - Crisp traded to Kansas City for Ramon Ramirez 11/20/08 - Red Sox signed 1B/OF Paul McAnulty to a minor league contract 1/8/09 - Red Sox signed Rocco Baldelli and John Smoltz 1/15/09 - Updated some money figures

Sox To Sign John Smoltz

Future Hall of Famer John Smoltz will notify the Atlanta Braves Thursday morning that he will be signing with the Boston Red Sox. The deal is for a base salary of $5.5 million with another $5 million in easily atainable incentives. Smoltz isnt expected to be ready to pitch until late May and adds to the Red Sox depth in the rotation that now includes Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Brad Penny, Tim Wakefield along with young pitchers Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden. The Red Sox also have started Justin Masteron slotted for the bullpen in 2009. The signing of Smoltz could lead to a deal with Texas for a catcher, the deal would likely be centered around Buchholz and could lead to the end of an era in Boston with Jason Varitek not returning. Boston has already signed Josh Bard and he could be the veteran prescence on the team sharing time with a young catcher, likely Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Boston is also reportedly preparing to introduce Rocco Baldelli as a member of the Boston Red Sox Thursday night at Boston Baseball Writers Dinner.