No Mira 'Belli

The Doug Mirabelli Era looks to be over in Boston.

Wakefield endorsed [Kevin] Cash last season when Cash caught him and at that point it gave the Red Sox the thought that Cash could be a cheaper way to address the backup catcher role. [Dustin] Brown has caught minor league knuckleballer Charlie Zink.

I was surprised the Sox didn't make this move last season. Cash is younger and cheaper than Mirabelli, can handle the knuckleball, and hits about the same.

Still, Mirabelli was a key role player in the 2004 championship, and walks away with two rings. He loved Boston so much, he agitated for a trade back after a couple weeks in San Diego. I know he's received mixed reviews from those he worked with, but it's another piece of that magical season we won't see anymore. That's always a little sad.

On a completely unrelated note, the Terry Francona-Dustin Pedroia repartee has produced some of the funniest comedy I've seen in a baseball clubhouse:

Francona said he conferred with Dustin Pedroia's wife Kelly before inserting him into the lineup. "Since I knew she wears the pants in that family, I asked 'Do I have your permission to put him in a game?' (She said) 'Yeah, I have to get him out of here.'"

Comments

[I'm Bill McNeal]

Well, Suzyn, all good things in life come to an end ...

[Ric]

A fond remembrance of a day in Doug's life....

http://www.dougiesgoingdeep.com/day1.html

[QuoSF]

I dunno about the offensive part of the equation.

Cash's best season, by OPS+, with at least 180 ABs (sure, it's his only one): 42. Career: 26

Mirabelli's worst, same criteria: 51. Career: 86

There's more to this story than has been released, because Cash makes Mirabelli look like an above-average hitter.

Also, Brown and/or Kottaras should get the chance to handle Wake in his next ST outing.

[Paul SF]

But is Cash any worse than Mirabelli now? Belli's 86 OPS+ is now four years ago, though he probably does have a little more pop in his bat than Cash. Sounds like maybe Cash is the stopgap while Brown catches Zink in Pawtucket.

But who knows? It's a small enough difference that maybe there is something esle there we're not hearing.

[Paul SF]

My bad, read the "career" as "best. Pssh.

[QuoSF]

I find it interesting that they let him even suit up in the first place today, rather than letting him know at the end of the day yesterday.

And yeah, better. 63 OPS+ last season. Plus add in the fact that Cash isn't even all that young (30), and it all starts to seem a little fishy to me.

[LocklandSF]

Something had to of happened, this is just so odd, why let him suit up today? Why sign him in the first place and just let Cash catch Wake for all of spring?

I don't know what, but something happened.

[Ric]

"I don't know what, but something happened."

Knowing Doug, he probably gave a wedgie to a retarded kid and then keyed Francona's car.

[LocklandSF]

The scary thing Ric, is that is entirely possible.

[rootbeerfloat]

Basic question here - what happens to his $500,000 contract when he gets released? Is he now not getting paid at all?

[A YF]

I think it makes sense for the Yanks to sign him to a minor league deal, if he'll take it. Stick him in Scranton and pick his brain on the Sox pitchers. He's better than Moeller, at least. Plus, in case you haven't heard, the Yanks are out one minor league catcher. :)

[Nick-YF]

anyone else thinks he looks like New Yorker editor David Remnick?

[dc]

what's the over/under on how many games before theo asks dougie to come back?

[Pat (SF)]

Ric, thanks for posting the dougiesgoingdeep link. I laughed so hard.

[yk]

As long as Cash can bunt (or moving Lugo,Crisp, Ellsbury around), I think he's better than Belli for the team. Belli used to hit for power but without decent contact, career offensive number means nothing.