The former Boston star might come cheap, but he's also wearing down.
Kevin Youkilis always looked good in a Boston uniform, making it tempting to hope the team brings him back as a free agent.First came John Farrell, the new Boston Red Sox manager and a blast from a better past.
Already, the media is tossing out the question of whether Kevin Youkilis should be signed to a new contract in Boston
ESPNBoston is running a poll. Some other media are looking at the positive aspects of a new deal with Youkilis, whose $13 million option for 2013 was turned down by the Chicago White Sox, to no one's surprise.
NESN.com is among those saying the Red Sox should consider a comeback. The reasoning has some basis: Youkilis would fill a gaping hole at first base, plus, his old nemesis Bobby Valentine is gone.
Youkilis can also play third base. Will Middlebrooks looks like a lock there for years, but a lot of rookies have come to earth in their second seasons, and Middlebrooks is coming back after a season-ending injury to boot.
A little insurance might not hurt, eh?
There are good reasons to do it, not the least of which is that Youkilis will likely come at a reasonable, reduced cost.
There are equally compelling reasons not to do it, although a flat-out no is unreasonable without knowing what other viable alternatives exist at first base. (Sorry, Mauro Gomez).
One is philosophical. This team cannot rewind the clock and make it 2007 again.
I hope that is not part of the appeal of Farrell. Bringing back Youkilis would not restore the glory days of the past, any more than bringing back Mike Lowell to play third base would do it.
The reason Youkilis might be available at a good rate is because a lot of signs point to his decline. It's easy to take potshots at Valentine, who has absolved himself of blame for Youk's reduced production, but the deposed manager has a point on this one.
A grumpy, banged-up Youkilis hit .233 with four home runs in 42 games with Boston in 2012. Following his June 24 trade to Chicago, he sprang to life and for two weeks looked like his old self.
His final White Sox numbers: 15 homers and 46 RBIs over 80 games. Those are good power numbers.
But he also hit .236 with the White Sox and was bothered by the injuries that have chipped away at his strength for three years.
Valentine is gone, replaced by Farrell, another member of the Good-Old-Days Club. If it's mood that affects Youkilis, and not physical decline, that would help.
Of course, if it's mood involved, that means Valentine was right in the first place, when he said last April that Youkilis' head wasn't into it.
Youkilis is married to Tom Brady's sister, and he knows he is still adored in Boston. Those are two reasons he might look favorably at a return, though when free agency is involved, it is almost always money and not the wife's former mailing address (or even fan support) that count.
The NESN piece also referred to the prolonged ovation Youkilis received when he left the game on his last day with the Red Sox. It was a wonderful moment, but also the worst reason to bring him back.
It's a reference to the emotion that could interfere with a rational decision on what to do about Youkilis, who will be 34 in March.
Should the Red Sox explore a new deal with Youkilis? Probably, but not at the expense of a bidding war and not for more than a year.
Other teams will be interested if the price is reasonable. He can still play two positions, which would interest National League teams in the world of double-switching.
He is a DH in waiting who could also play the field. That would appeal to AL teams.
I think his reputation as the glue of the clubhouse has been overstated, but Youkilis still falls on the positive side of that issue. One team that might want him back is the White Sox, who passed on his option because of the $13 million price tag attached to it.
I think Youkilis' body won't let him be the Youk we came to expect, or anything close. This team is supposed to be building for the future, and Youk represents the past.
But I could be wrong. He could show some of that second-half 2012 power in 2013, and that would be worth having around.
The Red Sox should not pursue him with an eye on what he can do for them now, and more importantly, whether better long-term options at first base exist.
If he passes that test, sure, bring him back and get ready for several standing ovations. If not, wish him luck with his new team for the second time in less than a year, and move on.