Prepare yourselves for another four years of The Mother of all Beards. Tony Massarotti is reporting the Red Sox have agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $41 million, with a club option for $13 million for the 2013 season.
Because Youkilis’s deal will not be finalized until he passes a physical exam Friday, he filed for arbitration before Thursday’s deadline. His request for arbitration will be voided once the deal is formalized.
Barring any debilitating condition brought on by profusely sweating all time, or the discovery of a nest of finches infected with the bird flu nesting in Youk’s beard, the Red Sox have successfully locked up the right side of the infield for the foreseeable future. Dustin Pedroia signed a long-term deal earlier this off-season.
While a catcher is still a priority, preferably one not named Varitek, the rest of the 2009 pieces are in place. The equipment truck will be heading south before you know it.
