NEW YORK — The New York Yankees reached a deal to sign former Boston Red Sox icon Kevin Youkilis Tuesday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press, filling New York's immediate need for a third baseman. The one-year contract for $12 million is pending a physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement. Youkilis, a three-time All-Star and two-time World Series winner with Boston, is expected to play third base while Alex Rodriguez recovers from hip surgery. Rodriguez plans to have the surgery in mid-January and could be sidelined until the All-Star break or beyond. For years, Youkilis was one of the more prominent faces in the fierce Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, and his intensity made him among the more popular players at Fenway Park. He and Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain had a feud that exemplified the ill will between the clubs, and now they're teammates. Eric Chavez, the backup Yankees third baseman for most of last season, joined Arizona last week. New York considered several options as a stopgap at third, including Jeff Keppinger and Mark Reynolds, but both accepted deals with other teams. Youkilis turns 34 in March. He played third base and first base last season for Boston and Chicago White Sox. Youkilis was traded to the White Sox last June as Boston's new management reshaped the Red Sox roster. He combined to hit a career-low .235 with 19 home runs and 60 RBIs. An All-Star in 2008, 2009 and 2011, Youkilis won a Gold Glove at first base in 2007. He is a .283 hitter with 148 home runs in nine seasons, and was on Boston teams that won the World Series in 2004 and 2007. There is still uncertainty about when Rodriguez will return. He is a 14-time All-Star and baseball's priciest player, with his current overall contract worth $275 million. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Indians traded outfielder Shin-Soo Choo to the Cincinnati Reds and acquired prized pitching prospect Trevor Bauer from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-team deal. Center fielder Drew Stubbs was sent from Cincinnati to Cleveland as part of the nine-player swap. In addition to Stubbs, the Indians received Bauer, the No. 3 pick in the 2011 draft, and pitchers Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw from the Diamondbacks. Cleveland shipped Choo, infielder Jason Donald and about $3.5 million to the Reds, while sending left-handed reliever Tony Sipp and first baseman Lars Anderson to Arizona. The Diamondbacks also received shortstop prospect Didi Gregorius from Cincinnati. Choo, who has been Cleveland's primary right fielder since 2006, will play center and bat leadoff for Cincinnati. — Agencies
