Youk Mellows with Age

This is good news, in my opinion. Kevin Youkilis chats with Pete Abraham.

Youkilis, who turns 33 next month, is in the final year of a four-year, $41.12 million deal. The Red Sox hold a team option worth $13 million for next season or can buy Youkilis out for $1 million.

This season could be his last with the Red Sox. But Youkilis said landing a new deal is not something he thinks about.

“I already hit the jackpot in monetary terms in the way I look at life. I live a different kind of lifestyle where I’m not flashy and all that. Money is not why I play this game. I play this game because I love the game and I love going out there and competing. That’s why I play baseball,’’ he said.

If Youk produces, and he will if he's healthy, your friendly blogger would be really surprised to see the Sox let him go. It would take something outlandish, though I suppose he could ask for an outlandish contract, and that would do it. But a happy Youk putting up his usual (not 2011) numbers is a clear asset.