In addition to my usual Yankees Chick posts, I have also begun writing a bit for AOL's FanHouse blog. I will post the beginnings of those articles here on YC, and then you'll have to click the link to jump on over to FH to read the rest... stick with me here, amigos!
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The Red Sox and their first baseman Kevin Youkilis have avoided an arbitration hearing by agreeing on a one-year deal worth $3 million for his services. That is quite a jump from last year, when he made just $424,500. At the start of the arbitration process Youk had asked for a salary of $3.7 million, to which the Red Sox countered with an offer of $2,525,000, so the $3 million agreement certainly seems fair to both sides monetarily.

Money aside, I'd have to say that with the current market as it is, where 5th-rate relievers are signing contracts for several million dollars and utility players are earning $1 million -- or more -- per year, the Sox are on the winning side of this deal.