The End of an Era: Mirabelli Released
The Doug Mirabelli era has ended today as the Sox have released Tim Wakefield's personal catcher. I'm sure most of us are pretty shocked, a sentiment echoed by MLB Trade Rumors. Known for his defense and ability to catch the knuckleball, Mirabelli will also be missed in the clubhouse. No one will ever forget the day Doug came to Fenway Park escorted by State Troopers from the airport after he was reacquired from San Diego for Josh Bard and Cla Merideth. We want to wish Doug the best of luck from Boston Sports Buzz for his hard work and dedication over the years and we hope that he finds another team to catch on with.
So what does this mean for the Red Sox? Well, either one of two things... first, Kevin Cash, George Kottaras or Dusty Brown has impressed so much with their defense this spring that Mirabelli became expendable. Second, the Sox may have a deal lined up with another team for Coco Crisp in which they would acquire a catcher as part of the trade. I personally am betting on option one and think that Kevin Cash will be the backup catcher for the Boston Red Sox for at least part of this season. If you recall, Cash caught Wakey a handful of times last year, so the Sox at least have that small sample size upon which to base a decision, however we really need to see how he does in a pressure situation as most his games came against some weaker competition. Either way, we will all surely miss the presence of Dougie "Beer-a-belli" behind the plate, but we still have the hilarious "Dougie's Going Deep Tonight" episodes to console us in our sorrow.
In other Sox news, Curt Schilling was officially placed on the 60 day DL. No surprise here... in fact, it will more likely end up being a 100+ day stint on the shelf for Schill, who isn't expected to be ready until the All Star break at the earliest.
You A Bad Mang is a senior writer for Boston Sports Buzz.
UPDATE (3.14.2008 / 11:29 PM / Boston Sports Buzz):
It appears that Kevin Cash will open the season as the backup catcher as expected. Said Theo in The Boston Herald, as reported by Boston Dirt Dogs, "The timing, in part, was out of respect for Doug. This was a debate early in camp. It reached a point where defensively, especially, we thought Cash was the backup that would give our team the best chance to win."
So what does this mean for the Red Sox? Well, either one of two things... first, Kevin Cash, George Kottaras or Dusty Brown has impressed so much with their defense this spring that Mirabelli became expendable. Second, the Sox may have a deal lined up with another team for Coco Crisp in which they would acquire a catcher as part of the trade. I personally am betting on option one and think that Kevin Cash will be the backup catcher for the Boston Red Sox for at least part of this season. If you recall, Cash caught Wakey a handful of times last year, so the Sox at least have that small sample size upon which to base a decision, however we really need to see how he does in a pressure situation as most his games came against some weaker competition. Either way, we will all surely miss the presence of Dougie "Beer-a-belli" behind the plate, but we still have the hilarious "Dougie's Going Deep Tonight" episodes to console us in our sorrow.
In other Sox news, Curt Schilling was officially placed on the 60 day DL. No surprise here... in fact, it will more likely end up being a 100+ day stint on the shelf for Schill, who isn't expected to be ready until the All Star break at the earliest.
You A Bad Mang is a senior writer for Boston Sports Buzz.
UPDATE (3.14.2008 / 11:29 PM / Boston Sports Buzz):
It appears that Kevin Cash will open the season as the backup catcher as expected. Said Theo in The Boston Herald, as reported by Boston Dirt Dogs, "The timing, in part, was out of respect for Doug. This was a debate early in camp. It reached a point where defensively, especially, we thought Cash was the backup that would give our team the best chance to win."
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