Kevin Youkilis reacts (aka - sweats more) after one of his 2 HR's last night. (AP Photo)
The talk all over (and rightfully so) WEEI, Yawkey Way, Baseball Tonight, local bars, and everywhere else in between has been the blockbuster trade of Manny Ramirez, Craig Hansen, and Brandon Moss in exchange for Jason Bay and some clubhouse peace. It's also been written every which way as well that Jason Bay will not be Manny yadda yadda yadda. What people should be paying a little more attention to however is the monster season Youk is having. He's totally breaking out as a power threat this year and he doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon.
Lets look at these numbers:
Youk: .313 AVG - .380 OBP - .937 OPS - 74 RBI - 20 HR
Manny: .303 AVG - .400 OBP - .936 OPS - 70 RBI - 21 HR
Forget Jason Bay, Kevin Youkilis is Manny Ramirez equal this season and possibly beyond. Manny in the long and big picture will obviously have the better hitting numbers over a career, but I wouldn't bet on that over the next four years. Each year Manny's inching closer to 40 while Youk is in his prime AND he's winning Gold Gloves to boot. I'm just saying sometimes hard numbers and stats offer the best perspective. Manny was awesome and fun, but with the crap he was pulling and when you look at the amount of money he and Youk are due to make next year (let alone Bay) the Red Sox end up looking smarter and smarter. Youk's salary plus Bay's won't come close to equally what Manny makes...
Lets get that sweep today Dice-K and keep the Bay State of mind a happy state of mind.
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