Sox set to trade Mirabelli for Loretta

[CalvnHobs6]

Trade sounds all but official:

Sox to swap Mirabelli for Loretta

By Tony Massarotti

Wednesday, December 7, 2005 - Updated: 02:22 PM EST

 

DALLAS - The Red Sox still have an array of needs to address this offseason, but all indications this afternoon are that the Sox are on the verge of completing a trade with the San Diego Padres for second baseman Mark Loretta.

According to baseball sources, the Sox and Padres essentially have agreed to the deal that will send Mirabelli to San Diego for the 34-year-old Loretta. Announcement of the deal has been held up at San Diego’s request, perhaps until the Padres get a resolution in negotiations with closer Trevor Hoffman.

Loretta, a .301 career hitter, is signed through 2006 at a salary of $3 million. He is an appealing, short-term fix for a Sox team that also has second baseman and prospect Dustin Pedroia in its minor league system.

Mirabelli, 35, has been one of the best backup catchers in baseball during his career. Going to San Diego would give him the chance to play everyday while giving the Padres a replacement for free agent Ramon Hernandez.

While playing behind Jason Varitek in recent years, Mirabelli also has served as the personal catcher for knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who holds the catcher in high regard. To replace Mirabelli, the Sox likely would venture onto the free agent market in pursuit of someone like John Flaherty or Ken Huckaby, veterans whom they believe could handle Wakefield.

Catching prospect Kelly Shoppach does not seem like an option to replace Mirabelli as Wakefield’s battery partner given his relative inexperience. The Sox also may need Shoppach in another deal this offseason.

Mirabelli, like Loretta, is a relatively inexpensive solution at his position. He has one year remaining on a two-year, $3 million contract he signed last offseason and is due $1.5 million in 2006.

 

From the Herald.

[CalvnHobs6]

YEARS 	G 	AB 	R 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS
7.59 	162 	563 	78 	169 	30 	3 	8 	61 	54 	59 	5 	4 	.301 	.365 	.408 	.773

[riverside sluggers]

wow thanks for the memories Dougie. I'll be sure to give you a standing O if you ever come back to Boston on an opposing team.

 

With Wells name not included, I sure hope the Wells for Duchsherer trade will go through

[MC Hammer]

Thanks for the hard work Tony G.

 

I dunno I wanted Tony G back so it's going to take me a little while to be OK with this trade or make an honest opinion about it.

[ACL BoSox]

Excellent deal, but we need to get back to the task at hand... re-sign Damon!

 

We might also want to look for a new backup catcher.

 

Overall though, excellent off-season thus far.

[riverside sluggers]

We might also want to look for a new backup catcher.

 

The article indicates Ken Huckaby and ex-yankee John Flaherty as possible picks.

 

--------------------------------------

 

haha in related news, the Padres have traded 3rd baseman Sean Burroughs for Dewon Brazelton

 

Burroughs sent to Tampa Bay for Brazelton

December 7, 2005

DALLAS (AP) -- Third baseman Sean Burroughs was traded from the San Diego Padres to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Wednesday for right-hander Dewon Brazelton. The 25-year-old Burroughs, the son of 1974 AL MVP Jeff Burroughs, has a .282 career average in four major league seasons but slumped badly this year. He was sent to the minor leagues in July to work on his swing; he came back 5 1/2 weeks later and finished with a .250 average, one homer and 17 RBIs.

 

The ninth selection in the 1998 draft, Burroughs batted .298 with two homers and 47 RBIs in 2004. Brazelton, 25, was 1-8 with a 7.61 ERA in eight starts and 12 relief appearances. Tampa Bay's opening-day starter this year, Brazelton was he third pick overall in the 2001 amateur draft. "This is a classic change of scenery trade involving two former No. 1 draft picks that are still young players with tremendous upsides," Devil Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said.

 

Brazelton has an 8-23 career record with a 5.98 ERA in 41 starts and 13 relief appears during four big league seasons.

[Soxfan1]

The article indicates Ken Huckaby and ex-yankee John Flaherty as possible picks.

 

--------------------------------------

 

haha in related news, the Padres have traded 3rd baseman Sean Burroughs for Dewon Brazelton

That bastard started the fight. Will Doug be starting?

[riverside sluggers]

Doug Mirabelli is so far expected to get a lot more playing time with the Padres seeing him as the replacement for Hernandez.

[CalvnHobs6]

I'm sad to lose a great player who's been nothing short of exactly what we wanted him to be in his seasons here, but I'm happy for him he'll get his chance to start. Good luck, Dougie, and come back any time.

[yagmaster]

Loretta has the potential to hit .300+, play great defense, and be a great mentor to the future of our infield, Dustin Pedroia. While Mirabelli was a valuable and popular player for our team, he was still a BACKUP catcher. To trade a backup for a starter (a former All-Star in fact) is nothing short of a great deal.

[riverside sluggers]

I agree, another solid trade following deals with the Marlins and Cubs... all done by a GM by Comittee

[26 to 6]

The article indicates Ken Huckaby and ex-yankee John Flaherty as possible picks.

Flaherty is an ex Red Sox player as well. He came up with the Sox, so maybe his career can come full circle as he retires with you guys. But I doubt it.

 

I think it will be Shoppach. Maybe not though.

 

I think this is a good move for you guys, Loretta over the past few years has really been establishing himself as a very good player.

[jimmycarter05]

me personally, i like this group of GMs because I'm a firm believer in two heads are better than one because if you have one GM, he's going to go after the players he wants, and if you have 4 guys, like we have now, if you put your heads together you can come up with some great deals, like they have, hats off guys

[stocker323]

Yankee fans are crying foul over this one. Their argument is that all other teams "bend over" towards the Red Sox. For example they think that if they were interested in Loretta they would have to give up a package centered around their prized young players, Wang, Cano, Duncan and Hughes. While we get away with ONLY trading away our backup catcher. Quite comical if you ask me.

[26 to 6]

me personally, i like this group of GMs because I'm a firm believer in two heads are better than one because if you have one GM, he's going to go after the players he wants, and if you have 4 guys, like we have now, if you put your heads together you can come up with some great deals, like they have, hats off guys

good point

[26 to 6]

Yankee fans are crying foul over this one. Their argument is that all other teams "bend over" towards the Red Sox. For example they think that if they were interested in Loretta they would have to give up a package centered around their prized young players, Wang, Cano, Duncan and Hughes. While we get away with ONLY trading away our backup catcher. Quite comical if you ask me.

I havent heard any Yankee fans complain about this deal :?

[stocker323]

I havent heard any Yankee fans complain about this deal :?

 

http://nyyankeeboards.no-ip.info/index.php?showtopic=11643

[Beckett95]

BOSTON -- The Red Sox have agreed on a deal that would send backup catcher Doug Mirabelli to the San Diego Padres for second baseman Mark Loretta, the Boston Herald reported on its Web site Wednesday.

 

According to the report, an official announcement is being delayed at the request of the Padres, who are awaiting a decision from closer Trevor Hoffman.

 

The 34-year-old Loretta is a .301 career hitter and is signed through 2006 at a salary of $3 million. With Boston having minor leaguer Dustin Pedroia on the horizon, Loretta is being viewed as a short-term solution.

 

After batting .335 with 47 doubles, 16 homers and 76 RBI in 2004, Loretta was bothered by a thumb injury this past season and hit just .280 with three homers and 38 RBI in 105 contests.

 

Mirabelli has been one of the better backup catchers during his four years in Boston. Used primarily as knuckleballer Tim Wakefield's personal catcher, he hit .281 with nine homers and 32 RBI during Boston's World Series championship season in 2004 but slumped to .228 with six homers and 18 RBI this past season.

 

The 35-year-old will give the Padres an experienced receiver with Ramon Hernandez leaving via free agency.

 

Another Red Sox-Padres trade has been on the rumor mill since left-hander David Wells requested a trade back to Southern California to be closer to his family. The Red Sox have talked to the Padres this offseason about a move, but no deal seems imminent.

from espn

[26 to 6]

oh....ok, sorry

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

A backup catcher for a starting 2nd baseman who has been a recent all star......fine!

 

I'll miss you Doug Mirabelli

[Beckett95]

ya its 99% official according to the boston herald

 

DALLAS - The Red Sox still have an array of needs to address this offseason, but the club has completed a trade that sends backup catcher Doug Mirabelli to the San Diego Padres for second baseman Mark Loretta.

 

Loretta’s agent, Bob Garber, confirmed the trade yesterday and said an announcement will be made Thursday.

 

“He loved San Diego, but if he had to go anywhere to win a championship, Boston would be the place to be,” Garber said. “Originally, when he was a free agent three years ago, his choice was between Boston and San Diego. Once the Red Sox traded for Todd Walker, that door closed. But it was already his top choice when he was a free agent.”

 

Loretta, a .301 career hitter, is signed through 2006 at a salary of $3 million. The 34-year-old is an appealing, short-term fix for a Sox team that also has second baseman and prospect Dustin Pedroia in its minor league system.

 

Loretta suffered a sprained thumb last spring, prompting surgery on May 17. He returned to the Padres on July 19.

 

“He’s as healthy as a horse,” Garber said.

 

Mirabelli, 35, has been one of the best backup catchers in baseball during his career. Going to San Diego gives him the chance to play everyday while giving the Padres a replacement for free agent Ramon Hernandez.

 

While playing behind Jason Varitek in recent years, Mirabelli also has served as the personal catcher for knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who holds the catcher in high regard. To replace Mirabelli, the Sox likely would venture onto the free agent market in pursuit of someone like John Flaherty or Ken Huckaby, veterans whom they believe could handle Wakefield.

 

Catching prospect Kelly Shoppach does not seem like an option to replace Mirabelli as Wakefield’s battery partner given his relative inexperience. The Sox also may need Shoppach in another deal this offseason.

 

Mirabelli, like Loretta, is a relatively inexpensive solution at his position. He has one year remaining on a two-year, $3 million contract he signed last offseason and is due $1.5 million in 2006.

[Moose]

The Padres are f***ed.

[stocker323]

The trade is now official.

 

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20051207&content_id=1278559&vkey=pr_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

[Cityofchampions33]

This trade is a pretty good deal to me, almost a jip in our favor, though Mirrabelli is the best backup catcher in the Majors. I wish him well, he was one of those Nixon dirt dog type players that I love. One thing that should help him is that he'll be facing significantly weaker pitching in the NL West compared to the AL East, but good luck Belli, we'll miss ya.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

NOOOO. This is like the first time i have been disappointed to see a red sox player go. Mirabelli was the man.

[26 to 6]

though Mirrabelli is the best backup catcher in the Majors.

I agree, bt Ramon Castro, Sandy Alomar, and Jose Molina will give him a run for his money.

[26 to 6]

I wonder how that kid in Florida feels about this.

 

The kid from Stories from Red Sox Nation who was disabled and befriended Doug or something (dont remember all the details).

[riverside sluggers]

Very cool that Doug's first at bat of the season at Fenway was 2 run homerun, his last at bat (last as a Red Sox) of the season was a pinch-hit 3 run HR.

[Cityofchampions33]

he does it all with no batting gloves, man he's one of my favorite catchers. yeah, someone called WEEI about Nixon and how he was close to this 15 year old who recently dies of cancer, and then he went to the funeral without being pushed into it. I'm gunna miss him too, man if only he didn't get injured he'd probably be staying here.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Very cool that Doug's first at bat of the season at Fenway was 2 run homerun, his last at bat (last as a Red Sox) of the season was a pinch-hit 3 run HR.

 

Thats awesome, I didn't know that. I'm gonna miss Doug....but I'm excited to have Loretta