Boston Red Sox and Kevin Youkilis have agreed in principle to a 4-year contract.

The Red Sox have avoided arbitration with Youkilis by signing him to a four-year, $40 million contract.

The deal reportedly includes an option for the 2013 season. The deal buys out two arbitration years and two free agent years.

Last season, Youkilis finished the 2008 season with 29 homeruns, 115 RBIs and a .312 average.

Red Sox earlier this offseason, Red sox and Dustin Pedroia, who won the AL MVP Award, signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract deal.