White Sox exercise 2013 club option on Gavin Floyd; Decline options on Brett Myers and Kevin Youkilis

The Chicago White Sox have exercised the 2013 club option on the contract of right-handed pitcher Gavin Floyd and have declined 2013 options on the contracts of right-hander Brett Myers and third baseman Kevin Youkilis.  Under terms of his contract, Floyd will earn a base salary of $9.5 million in 2013.

Floyd, 29, was 12-11 with a 4.29 ERA (80 ER/168.0 IP) and 144 strikeouts in 29 starts last season.  The 6-foot-6, 240-pounder reached double figures in victories for the fifth consecutive season, joining Tampa Bay’s James Shields, Detroit’s Justin Verlander and Los Angeles’ Jered Weaver as the only American League pitchers to accomplish that feat.

Myers, 32, went 3-4 with a 3.12 ERA (12 ER/34.2 IP), 21 strikeouts and eight holds in 35 relief appearances with Chicago in 2012.  He was acquired from Houston on July 21 with cash considerations in exchange for three minor-league players.

Youkilis, 33, batted .236 (69-292) with 15 home runs, 46 RBI and 47 runs scored in 80 games with the White Sox last season.  He was acquired from Boston on June 24 with cash considerations in exchange for infielder/outfielder Brent Lillibridge and right-handed pitcher Zach Stewart.