Former Red Sox rival Kevin Youkilis has officially joined the New York Yankees after signing a one-year contract to fill a void left by the absence of Alex Rodriguez.
The 33-year-old three-time All-Star will serve as the starting third baseman with slugger Rodriguez expected to be sidelined until midseason after having surgery on his left hip.
The deal for Youkilis, a career .283 hitter, will pay the infielder $15 million, according to media reports.
Youkilis, who has played all but 80 games of his nine-year major league career for Boston, batted a combined .235 last season with 19 home runs and 60 runs batted in in 122 games for Boston and the Chicago White Sox, to whom he was traded in late June.
