Jim Bowden sucks. In his decade long run as General Manager of the Cincinnati Reds, Bowden's teams managed only 2 division titles (one in strike shortened 1994), had a slew of trades that generally did not work in the Reds favor (Ken Griffey Jr's injuries aside), and instituted a scorched earth policy in the minor league system. So it's no surprise that he and his scouting department would've missed on one of the most underrated players in all of Major League baseball who was born, raised, and became a terrific high school and collegiate ballplayer in his own backyard.
Kevin Youkilis is one of my favorite big league players, and one of the least appreciated in all of baseball. Since 2006, his first full-time, Youkilis is easily one of the top 20 players in all of baseball by any measure you want to look at. Tabbed by Oakland GM Billy Beane as "the Greek God of Walks" as a minor leaguer, Youk is one of the toughest outs in all of baseball and perennially is amongst league leaders in pitches seen per at bat. The impact that has on opposing pitchers is one that elevates the play of everyone on his team. Whether that's during a single game, or over the course of a series, Youkilis is the heart and soul of one of the best offenses in the game and contributes whether he's swinging well or not.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Youkilis put up huge numbers at Sycamore High School and again at the University of Cincinnati. He was a two time 2nd team All-American at UC, and still holds multiple offensive records. He even went to the Cape Cod League between his Junior and Senior years at UC, where they use wood bats, and finished amongst league leaders in offense as well. Still, he was not well regarded by the big league scouting community. Why? Well, he didn't look the part. Pudgy, unathletic-looking, unorthadox; he just didn't look like a pro. And at that time, 2000-2001, most scouting staffs and organizations were too caught up appearances and weren't focused on production. Youk would be drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 8th round in 2001, but would've almost certainly been a 1st or 2nd round pick today.
All Youkilis has done since is be one of the best in all of baseball. He's played above average defense at both 3B and 1B, moving wherever the team needed him most. He's added 25+ home run power to his +.400 On Base ability. He's an underrated base runner despite below average speed. And his leadership and desire to win would make his boyhood hero Pete Rose proud. Want proof? How about the well publicized dugout fight between Youkilis and Manny Ramirez in 2008? When asked about the fight the following year, after Manny was traded away to L.A., Youkilis said: "We have two different approaches to the game. Winning and losing isn’t life and death to Manny." Given the choice, I'd rather have Youkilis too. He stepped right into Manny's cleanup role and didn't skip a beat. He's even played through injuries the last two years, and only shut it down in 2010 because he didn't have a choice. He's a gamer.
And he's produced for relatively little cost, only adding to his value. From 2006-2008, his first 3 full seasons, Youk cost a combined $4M. For '09 and '10 he made a combined $15M, and 2011 will be his first making more than $10M annually. He signed a 4yr $41M contract in 2009, that includes a $13M club option for 2013. For a guy who's Wins Above Replacement value (thanks fangraphs.com) has averaged nearly 4.5, and considering each WAR is worth roughly $4.5M each on the open market, he should be getting nearly $19M per year! That's very good value for GM Theo Epstein and the BoSox.
Needless to say, I'd love to have seen Kevin Youkilis in a Reds uniform, at 3B, instead of an aging and overpaid Scott Rolen. The Reds desperately need a legitimate right handed bat behind MVP 1B Joey Votto, and a lineup featuring 2B Brandon Phillips, Votto, and Youkilis hitting 2,3,4 would be something to behold. But alas, it's a pipe dream. The BoSox would never trade Youk and the window to have drafted him is a decade in the rear view mirror. Still, it's fun to imagine. If only the Reds had had a progressive GM in 2001 instead of a guy who wore leather pants and thought the best way to build a team was through trades instead of the draft.
Hopefully the injuries don't derail what looks to be a very promising career for Youkilis, the bedrock for one of the few clubs that perennially has a shot at a World Series title. And hopefully the Reds commitment to drafting and developing quality prospects since dumping Bowden will assure that they won't miss another diamond in the rough in their own community.....
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