Tony's saving grace was throwing the rest of the money that was saved from not signing Texiera and giving it to Jason Bay.

Youk by far in a division decided by a handful of games I do not want a notoriously slow starter every year. I think overall Youk is the better player and his road numbers are almost as good as home numbers where Tex is benefitting from the new homerun field in Yankee Stadium.

I'll take the team player, Youk, over the money-grubbing Tex.

Not taking anything away from Tex, but he has hit 2/3 of his home runs at the new "homer" stadium. Also, when you factor in the fact that Youk has 50 less AB because of being on the DL, they are on pace for similar RBI numbers. Youk has the better average, slugging and OBP. Sure Tex was not in the league the year Youk won the GG, but Youk went the whole year w/o an error, hard to argue he wouldn't have won it anyway. For the most part they are equal players in my eye, but the price tag works in our favor.

Youk is a STEAL.

Youk + Bay > Mr. Leigh Teixeira

This is stupid
Neither of them are going anywhere.
Let's get a life people.
Do something useful instead of buying into this drivel.
Volunteer in a soup line or something.
No wonder the Globe's halfway under

Youk's a nice little player who wil have a decent career but Tex is a potential Hall of Famer... Advantage...Yanks

Doesn't matter who's got better #'s. Youk is a team player, Tex hits next to A-Roid the human cancer cell. The Yanks bought themselves a curse and no amount of $ thrown at Tex can cure the case of ARoids that the Yanks have been suffering from.

"Texeira has more than twice as many homers as Youkilis...(17-9)..." Umm, that's less than twice as many, Chad.

"...and more than three times as many in his career (220-75)." At this point I thought you were joking. 75 x 3 = 225. So, actually less than three times as many.

Your point is that Texeira has more, in both categories, which is true. But your shoddy math bastardizes your point.

Stick to english. Drop math. Immediately.

All you have to do is look at Texiera's performance before A-roid came back. At the same time, Youk was all galaxy in just about every category until pitchers started throwing at him instead of to him.

Mazz changed my "nearly" to "more." That's the story I'm going with, anyway.

I must have been one of the select few that never wanted Texeira. I think Boras did a fabulous job manipulating the press into thinking this guy was the next A-Rod. He is not. He looks good because he is such an upgrade from Giambi.

Not exactly a 180 mil swing outside hitter friendly stadiums like Texas and Yankee Stadium. I can understand the Yankees paying that much, the last few years it seems obvious the Yankees must overpay greatly to get any FA into their uniform.

Youk's numbers this year make it hard to argue that he hit a ceiling last year. His numbers have improved every year in the league, and while you can't expect that to continue forever, his current OPS is better than any season average of Teixeira's career.

Teams are going to make adjustments to Texiera. They are going to make adjustments to pitching in Yankee Stadium. Youk is a proven All-Star in the AL East and against AL East pitching. A third of the season is nowhere near enough time to even have this argument about Youk and Texiera.

More important than $$$ I feel is the flexibility to have Youk as a GG first baseman or above average 3rd baseman. He gives you the flexibility throughout a season to move players in and out of a lineup throughout the year to keep players fresh. Just think who would the yanks rather have had to start the season when A-Rod went down and they needed Cody Ransom to fill in. They could have had youk move to 3rd and swisher at first

Fuzzy Math notwithstanding, it's way better than Chad's English.

Yoooouuuk! For all of the reasons mentioned above, Youkilis is the better part for any roster. Add to that the fact that Youk is a spark plug and a tremendous example of going all-out -- he leads by example. (plus he has the "oooo" factor, like Dewwwwwy)

Money aside. Tex is the better overall baseball player. Considering money, Youk is a steal.

I think they are both very good team players. The fact people are even saying Tex is not as good of a "team player" is just humorous since none of you have ever even played with either of those guys. How the hell would you know? From a fans point of view it looks like both of them are good at saying the right thing and getting along with their teammates. Accept Youk and Manny, but Manny can get on anyones nerves.

Chad, I'm not going to vote against you because I understand your argument, unfortunately the most realistic thing to do is in fact consider the economics as well and then Youk becomes a very good deal.

Youk is a bum. He couldn't handle Teixeira's jock.

Nick, Teixeira is a potential hall of famer? What has he done in the playoffs? Last year he was acquired by the Angels to help them get the Red Sox monkey off their backs and he became a singles hitter. The same cannot be said of Youkilis. He is as clutch as it gets regular season or playoffs. And since when is 25-30/100 and gold glove caliber " a nice little player."

Teixeira is a better player. Take off the red sox blinders. By all accounts he is a great teammate. He is also better offensively and defensively. Economics do not play a part when you are considering two of the wealthiest teams in professional sports.

Youk dropped behind Tex in All-Star voting - get voting people. You can see how the DL hurt him, a DL stint he was on thanks to Burnett. Plus smaller stadium and less home games- so vote!

I have to go with Finn on this, even though he is racist. Money is not an option especially when you're talking about other people's money

It's like asking who we would prefer - Arod or Lowell. We had a chance to sign Arod when he opted out and became a free agent, but we passed and re-signed Lowell for $39 mil while the Yankees re-upped with Arod for $300 mil! Arod is unquestionably the superior talent, but given the salaries, does that mean you would take him? So yes, salary definitely comes into the equation. Otherwise you're simply asking who the better ball player is, and that would be Tex.

Wait Fenway isn't a hitter's park?

Just a different way to look at it...where would we be now if we had to deal with Tex's horrible April and beginning of May as supposed to Lowell's satisfactory consistency and Youk in his more comfortable position doing his scorching best at the beginning of the season? I have to think that the Blue Jays would be still comfortably in second place and even Tampa might still be again of us.

Their stats are similar and both are Gold Glovers. Putting money aside, I still would take Youk because: 1) He can work the count and wear down pitchers, and 2) He can play 3rd base (and even OF in an emergency).

don't forget that Tex is a complete p#ssy and said his wife chose NY. Youk's more of a man and a better teammate.

To chad: isn't what your family wants important to you? and...how in the hell do you know that Youk is a better teammate than Teix?

Umm...Tex is an overpaid pretty boy...Youk is a manly man...I vote vote for the man! Tex can go have his nails done with all his money...

Fenway isnt a hitters ball park when comparing it to the softball stadium in the bronx. Seriously, johnny damon is check swinging hr's. also the left field wall takes away more homers for righties than it does producing them. Hits yes, it does improve but not drastically. for all the fly balls that would be caught that go off the wall or over it, you do lose hits because the left fielder can play so shallow. oh and yankees drool, they are identical at first in the field. When did tex go errorless for a year. Youk is also a + 3rd baseman, giving him the overall edge in the field. and he can play left and 2nd if needed. tex may get a slight edge being a switch hitter, but overall ability, based on his depth for a roster in all he can do, slight edge to youk. but barely

Stick to baseball comparison. Especially with these 2 cash-rich teams.
Tex has been a star longer and further along in his career, has been a bit of a leverage ho, and just leveraged a monster FA deal. You should not devalue him. Youk - has not leverged a payday. So the player that has played out less leverage will always be better - according to the many economically judgment impaired here. I love Youk and hate Tex - but if you strip 'em down and open the bidding to all teams - Tex wins slam dunk -
221 HR vs 75 (twice as many per AB), switch hitter, gets nod on defense, in 4th division, only a year older w/ nearly twice as many AB's, durability looks strong.
So if the question is - You are managing the Rays, KC or Pitt - who do you value more? Its Youk. Or if member of Red Sox Nation.
If you are a team in the American League East (say Baltimore - ha ha) and want to win a pennant - it is Tex.
Funny - they both just walked in the 1st inning with 2 out. Hasta

Tex has been around longer but until he hit FA you never heard much about him before the Rangers Trade. He's a good player but no million dollar man. I'll take Youk, like his character. Took less money to play in the city he wanted to be in. Tex squeezed those last few million out of the Yankees. Who would you rather have on your team?

gb honestly how do you say tex better defensively. yeah there is a sox bias no doubt but they are equal at 1st base. both are gold glove quality. add the 3 other positions youk can play at +avg quality the nod has to go to youk. also, the question on offense is who is better today. tex doesnt do anything without protection, youk is the protection. tex hits his hr's where damon could probably throw the ball over the wall from the plate and we know how strong his arm is. is he an above quality hitter... yes. but so is youk. it is his flexibility in the field that gives youk the slight edge. also dont deny yankee stadium is a joke when they have hit more than 100 hrs already and we are barely 2 months into the season

porkpie
No big beefs with any of your points.
The big kahuna to me - nearly double the home run ratio/ab over nearly twice as many at bats with the same strikeout ratio. That is too much production too not think most MLB teams would not give him the nod. Think of that in the Sox lineup. Youk plus twice the home runs over the last 5 years. He has been with the empire for 50 some games maybe 1/2 or so in the new airport - no conclusions can be drawn from that. How he does against a larger dose of AL East pitching or in playoffs may be a factor.
While Youk has turned on the offense to elite status the last couple years - Tex is not showing signs of letting up and has been sustaining it (especially the power). It was not that long ago when Youk was being criticized for not providing power at a corner infield position. It is not who is better today really - it is who is going to help win championships in the future - let's hope it is Youk.
On the defense side of things - wrong or right - that is not a differentiator whether it is Youk's versatilty and consistency versus what little I have seen of Tex the dude's a magnet and takes away base hits in the clutch - maybe I am giving him too much credit there and as he owned the AL Gold Glove at 1st until he went NL.
As far as intangibles which Youk gets the nod in - in today's business environment you almost have to be a bad egg for that to work against you.
Interesting thought - what would the pragmatic Belichick do if he had to make a choice between the two (with no cap like baseball)?
Good chattin with ya'
Just don't make us sweat a wild card!
Truth in blogging - I spent 5 minutes looking at career stats for the two on MLB and doing the at-bat math and was surprised Youk only has a year less experience. Other than that just admiring Youk do his work over the years.

Chad, you're terrific, but you can't take economics out of the equation. Players don't! Teams don't! Do you think Youk and Pedroia would have been willing to sign their team-friendly contracts if the Sox had been willing to out-bid the Yankees for Teixeira? No way! Which means, getting Teixeira would have probably meant losing Youk or Pedey or both in the next few years. I would never want a club house in which one player made substantially more than the others. And that is a baseball decision.

I have to go with Tex here. I love Youk but Tex has been doing it longer and is equally good defensively. I love Youk but he has not had the production and the power for anywhere as long as Tex.

www.tbebaseball.com come post in the sox forum.

don't forget about youk's ablility to play 3rd...flexibility gives him the edge

They ended up debating more about finance and salary than they did about the actual players.

I would take Youk. Tex easily has had the better career, but we are not debating years past. Overall, they are close. I call it a draw defensively, although Youk is more versatile. Tex has more HR's, but his home field helps that out a lot.

The big advantage for Youk is "GRIT". I don't see Tex being the hustler, giving everything he has, etc, as Youk does. Plus, we also don't know how Tex is going to do come playoff time. He could be a complete bust there too (ala AROD). And yes, Youk is much cheaper as well. The money he signed for may also show he is more of a "team player" and not as concerned as much with the dollars as most Yankee players are.

** Have to laugh at the comment "the year Youk won Gold Glove was when Tex was with Atlanta". Youk broke the MLB record set some 20-30 years ago for errorless games. But, he only won the Gold Glove because Tex was in Atlanta. Give me a break.

Both players are an excellent player. And also both fit perfectly for both ballclub and the ballparks too. I think Youk is a better 1B than playing at 3B which that was why I rather to have Lowell to stay at 3B. Since Lowell is doing well on defense/offense, then I should not be complaining about Tex. Had Lowell struggles this year, then I would be bi&*hing about Red Sox failing to sign Tex. Right now Boston pitching is getting healthy and stronger, think Boston will be fine for the whole season. Remember pitching and defense win WS!! Go Red Sox.

I'm in with the Tex at 1st, Youk at 3rd, Lowell as DH plan. But if Tex wasn't going to be happy here there's no use having him. Youk also contributes by playing more than one position (He's a great defensive player at both positions), and hitting anywhere in the lineup.

gb once again you point to career stats. we are talking today. how does the fact that youk has the talent to play multiple positions better than back ups hurt him. also, just think how bad tex's numbers would be if he didnt play home games at yankee stadium when he started slow. Anyone whos on the yanks will have a higher hr/ab ratio than players who play elsewhere. also, hr's arent everything. youks obp. is almost 500. He gets on base 1/2 the time. that is where his value is. also the argument of who would play first in the above situation, change the circumstances. arod youk and tex. There would be a straight rotation with youk playing both while giving tex arod and youk 1 day off the field every three games. Not because tex is better at first but because youk has the ABILITY to play both

If it is a one on one TEX is a better player. however it is never one on one. If they gave Tex 20+ a year do you think that Pedroia, Lester, and Youklis would have been happy with hometown discounts or that the Red Sox would have been able to sign them all? Bay's money will have to be extra, because they signed the above three players with money that was Tex's. :)

So Caine,

Are you saying that because Tex went for the money, he wont put in the effort that Youklis does?

How about the constant crybaby act that IS Kevin Youkilis? He may be known as the SINGLE biggest whiner in the game of baseball.

Whats worse? WHINING or going for the money?

I'll take the guy who whines less...then again, that would include just about every player in MLB, other than Youk.

Funny thing....

When the Sox were pursuing Tex and actually had a chance at signing him what did us Red Sox fans constantly say about him?

* Instantly becomes our best batter
* One of the games great character players
* Non-stop motor...hustles all the time

But now because he is a Yank, all those traits are suddenly gone.

YOUUUUUKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is the purpose of this discussion?I believe Texeria was always choosing the Yankees and Boras just played the Red Sox to increase the price. Was there ever any reason to believe otherwise?

YOUUUUUUUUUUUKKKKKKK!!!!!! all the way he is more flexible he can play third base and i believe if he was there all year he could win a gg there too. Texiera also has more expierence he came into the big leauges right away as where youk did not so there is also the one year that texiera had on him plus possibly another season so thats why alot of the numbers are off and now its going to be even more with that screwed up stadium. YOUK is still the man and i must admit im a yankee hatter and i hate everybody that plays for them and yes some of us might be quite envious cause how nice would it be to have youk at third and texiera at 3rd and lowell and ortiz switching it up on the DH. But thats not reality but despite the fact the 45 million dollar man is 7-0 against the 180 million dollar man and thats all that matters.

i meant to say texiera at 1st and youk at 3rd

Chad, you got hosed here. This isn't even debatable...this just makes RSN look as biased as Rush Limbaugh at a NOW convention...

Youk all the way. The reason Tex has all those home runs is because he is always swinging for the fences. Youk on the other hand takes what is given him and wears out pitching along the way. Youk is easily as good a first baseman as Tex. You add in the intangibles of personality and style and Youk wins hands down.

Everytime I see Teixeira make one of those fancy plays that get the Yankees media people all hot, I remember that he is a failed third baseman. He doesn't get in front of the ball and makes plays that Youk makes easily look spectacular because he turns his back on them and knabs them with a no-look backhand. If he were making those plays anywhere else on the infield (third base) he'd be out of luck, since he's usually in no position to throw. Youk is a gold glover at first and is one of the best third basemen in the game too.

Wow am I happy, delighted, ecstatic Tex ended up as a typical Yankee --- over-paid and under performing instead of with baseball's Truly-Elite-come-from-behind WIN,WIN,WIN BoSox. Youkilis is a top flight championship-team player --- ready to play adroitly at first or third
with gold glove beauty. Batting? If Youk is at bat and a hit is needed --- a hit is what you get. Hands down, if one could play at first and third at the same time, Youk should be the chosen one for both positions. As it is, he should be chosen for either and certainly over Tex for first base. Sorry, little Steinbrenner, Poppy should have bought the Red Sox instead and then kept both of you out of the driver's seat. HA and thank heaven.

tex a better player #'s wise! I love youk would prefer him and winning with home grown talent! Cant wait to see what theo and company are going to do with the abundance of talent we have in the minors now. It should be fun

Teixera has had a better career so far so if you go by the numbers and money is not a factor, with all due respect I'd rather have Teixera both are talented players and Gold Glove winners but I see Tex as a more dangerous offensive force in the field. Tex over Youk if money is not a factor

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