Youkilis to play in Japan
Free agent infielder Kevin Youkilis will play in Japan next season for the Rakuten Golden Eagles, his agent confirmed Friday.
The three-time All-Star agreed to a one-year contract with a $4 milliion base and the potenial to earn $1 million in bonuses, agent Joe Bick said.
Youkilis, 34, batted .219 with two home runs and eight RBIs in 105 at-bats over 28 games with the New York Yankees this year. Back injuries ended his season on June 13.
In the past two seasons, he combined for a batting line of .232/.330/.396 with 21 home runs in 150 games with the Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox.
Rakuten lost Casey McGehee to free agency. The former Milwaukee Brewers third baseman recently signed with the Miami Marlins.
The Golden Eagles are still undecided about whether to post ace Masahiro Tanaka as a free agent.
