Youkilis Plans To Lead Red Sox By Example

FORT MYERS, Fla. (CBS) -- With Tim Wakefield retiring and Jason Varitek unlikely to remain a member of the Red Sox this year, there are just two players on the roster who were part of the curse-breaking team in 2004 -- David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis.

While Ortiz is largely seen as the face of the franchise, Youkilis has been perhaps the most reliable and versatile member of the team over the past six seasons. Whether he was playing third base, first base or even a little outfield, the soon-to-be-33-year-old has been willing to do whatever he can to help the team win ballgames.

When speaking with the media on Monday in Fort Myers, Youkilis was asked about the unsettled situation at the shortstop position. No stranger to changing positions, Youkilis joked that he'd be willing to slide over a few steps on the infineld and pitch in.

"I don't know where I fit on the line, but I've always been trying to play short. I don't know if they'll put me there," he quipped, adding that Dustin Pedroia is the only player he'll rule out at shortstop.

Youkilis was asked if his newfound status as experienced veteran will force him to be more of a clubhouse leader.

"I don't know the whole 'leader in the clubhouse' thing. I think there's different types of leaders," Youkilis siad. "There are vocal leaders, there are guys that are leaders by being the funny guy in the clubhouse. For myself, I'm a leader on the field, just playing the game hard, playing the game the right way."

"I think leading by example is the best way," Youkilis added.