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From rotoworld.com

Red Sox waived catcher Doug Mirabelli for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.

The Red Sox guaranteed Mirabelli only $150,000 when they re-signed him, so they're not losing much money here. Still, it's a very surprising move that they'd risk upsetting chemistry and take Tim Wakefield out of his comfort zone in order to go with Kevin Cash as their No. 2 catcher. Cash is an excellent defender and he did impress while catching Wakefield during Mirabelli's DL stint last year, but he's one of the very worst hitters at the upper levels of the game. Maybe it's an upgrade for Boston, but the difference in performance shouldn't be worth even one game in the standings. Depending on how Wakefield reacts, it might be necessary to drop him in draft lists

Not sure I understand the move if it is Kevin Cash who replaces Mirabelli. Sadly I think Doug is a much better hitter than Cash. Now both George Kottaras and Dusty Brown have hit well in limited action this spring. I think both have caught Zink as well, so some experience with the knuckle ball. Perhaps even a trade...Coco?

Six of one, half dozen of another. Both suck offensively and Cash is a better defensive player. Kottaras and Brown may be back-up options if Tek gets injured but they won't be back-ups this season. If Coco gets traded, it will be for some value, not a back-up catcher. Unless they can get someone a young catcher like Soto or Towles, they won't trade for a back-up catcher. mahalo
~Chach~

While both Doug and Cash do suck offensively, I still say Doug wins that category by a pretty healthy margin. I do agree tho that Cash is a better defensive option.

As for Kottaras and Brown I also understand you don't want a prospect only playing once a week. I'd just like to see the backup catcher at least have a chance to get a base hit from time to time. I'm not sure how right soxprosects.com is, but they have Brown as the 4th or 5th best catching prospect with the team. Brown is also 25 years old, it's about time to get his feet wet.

I really didn't mean Coco straight up for a backup catcher. Was more thinking that it could be a decent prospect plus the backup catcher.

Cash is so much better behind the plate. Dude has a cannon arm. Both are total blackholes on offense, so whatever. We're talking about two guys who will hit about .200 with very little power and very few walks. Maybe Mirabelli could hit a couple homers, but they're both so bad offensive that it doesn't even matter.

Good riddance. He was finished years ago. Still can't believe the Padres pulled off getting Josh Bard and Cla Meredith for this pile of garbage.
Do you know how good Josh Bard would look right now? Worst move of Theo's career. Josh Bard would be a seamless (as well as a likely upgrade) transition from Varitek and they could save the 3-year 30 million dollar contract they'll probably give Varitek after this season.

Mirabelli hasn't been even remotely useful since 2004.

UGH

he'll be back w/the bosox in less then 2 months when no one can catch the knuckler

Kevin Cash can handle the knuckle ball he's already proved that last season. The issue will be how long can they go with a guy that can't hit better than a pitcher?

They've gone three straight years with Mirabelli hitting worse than a pitcher so I guess it's no big deal. Show me a backup catcher who hits well and I'll show you a catcher who shouldn't be a backup.

Hope is on the horizon with Wagner, Kottaras, Brown, et al. One of these guys will make it.

I'm not asking for this great hitting backup catcher. Doug four years or so ago would be perfect. While he wasn't a great hitter, he was a guy who could hit the occasional home run.

4 years ago, right.

I'm not sure if your being sarcastic or not BG. I thought Doug was a good backup catcher in his first couple of seasons with the Sox.

Yeah, he was the premier backup catcher in baseball from 2001-2004. Since then he has been atrocious.

I'm not arguing with you that Mirabelli was a great backup C, but he's currently terrible which is the only thing that matters.

There ain't no back in the day, ****. Ain't no nostalgia to this **** here. There's just the street, and the game, and what happen here, today.

mahalo
~Chach~

I just want a backup catcher that can hit a bit damnit.