Feb. 18--Chicago Cubs President Theo Epstein has hired one of the key players of his successive run with the Boston Red Sox.
Infielder Kevin Youkilis, who played a major role in the Red Sox's 2004 and 2007 World Series titles, was hired by the Cubs as a special assistant.
Youkilis, who compiled a .281 batting average in 10 seasons with the Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees, is expected to work with the Cubs' minor league players.
Youkilis is the latest former player to join the Cubs in an advisory role, joining Kerry Wood, Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster and Darnell McDonald.
Youkilis, 35, retired after spending the 2014 season with the Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese Pacific League. Youkilis batted .215 in 21 games but asked to be released from his contract because of plantar fasciitis.
Youkilis and his brother Scott recently bought a brew pub in the trendy town of Los Gatos, Calif., that they plan to reopen this summer.
