Do the Sox's need to resign Mirabelli?

[scaffolds]

Mirabelli just filled for free agency, do the Red Sox need to resign him? Mirabelly at best is an border line ML player with his catching been average and his hitting while with some power its below average, however he seems to be able to catch Wakefield the best and with Wakefield coming back for his 13 year someone needs to catch him. Varitek isn't the answer and neither is George Kattaras the top catching prospect in the system. Kattaras has only had a cup of coffee in AAA with the Padres and needs to play everyday in Pawtucket, on the other hand Tek skills are declining and perhaps needs to play less games to avoid the injury factor. So inconclusion what do the Red Sox do? Have three catchers in the 25 man roster? after signing Mirabelli (just to catch Wakefield) and get another catcher to spell tek? what do they do?

[jsinger121]

no he sucks as a catcher.

[riverside sluggers]

If Kottaras is indeed in line to be the Sox's next starting catcher, he should get a full season's work in Pawtucket. Not being thown into the fire as a backup catcher who has to learn how to catch a pitch that is barely used nowadays.

[NoPepper]

No way. I didn't want him back last year either. I think that trade really cost us in the long run.

[BSN07]

Bringing back mirabelli for wakefields last year? I'm not sure hes worth it, bring in a vet that can catch a knuckleball.

[scaffolds]

Like i posted earlier Mirabelli without Wakefield has very little value to the Red Sox, but because of Wakefield he does. If Mirabelli doesn't get resign who catches Wakefield, we all know the problem with Wakefield and Bard, Tek needs to catch less and catching Wakefield's knuckler will take more out of him, again who will be Wakefield's catcher?

[guapo34]

I think you guys are expecting too much out of a backup catcher. Most starting catchers don't hit well. Most backup catchers are awful hitters. If they were good they'd be starting somewhere. I think theres a good chance Mirabelli comes back.

[NoPepper]

I think theres a good chance Mirabelli comes back.

 

If he does, it should be at "league minimum".

 

IIRC, in San Deigo, he didn't exactly show himself to be a team player there. His loyalty was to the Sox. He pretty much said as much to the manager. Mine loyalty is here too, but I'm in the stands. I doubt many teams will want him if what I read then is true. That should keep is cost down.

 

Most backup catchers are awful hitters ...

 

But they should at least be able to strike out vs. GIDP. Take up bunting so the runner can be moved. Hit a sac fly. Bat .200 ... Last year Mirabelli was just bad.

[Bosoxwest]

I'm against signing him now. What team in their right minds would snatch him up? He ranks 75th in the bigs in OPS. He cannot call a game to save his life. He catches the knuckler; that's all he does. There is not a whole heck of a lot of clamoring for that skill outside of Boston. I'm willing to risk signing a decent well-rounded backup, bringing a few guys to ST, and taking my chances bringing him to ST and letting him play his way in. Last year he was just a year removed from a career year at the plate and had some value, and SD owned him, so we had to make that incredibly ill-fated deal to bring him back. This year he has minimal (if any) value to anyone but Wakefield, and by extension the Sox. I think if we become certain we need him we'll be able to get him pretty cheaply.

 

If you hadn't noticed, I have a low opinion of Doug Mirabelli, the player.

[Anuj09]

Id prefer Rod barajas i heard he can catch a knuckleball well

[schillingouttheks]

Then, god damn it, let's bring in Barajas because you heard he can catch a knuckleball well!

[Gom]

Do you guys remember the catcher who caught Wakefield [i think his name was Bard]. He had something like 2 passed balls a game. If you have Wakefield, you need a catcher who can catch a knuckleball.

 

If you have Wake, you need Mirabelli, or Barajas. Dumb question.

[kreinbihl34]

You can teach a catcher how to catch the knuckleball, it's the willingness of the catcher to learn it.

[scaffolds]

Do you guys remember the catcher who caught Wakefield [i think his name was Bard]. He had something like 2 passed balls a game. If you have Wakefield, you need a catcher who can catch a knuckleball.

 

If you have Wake, you need Mirabelli, or Barajas. Dumb question.

 

What was a dumb question?

[Gom]

What was a dumb question?

 

Look at the title of the post. :harhar:

[TheKilo]

No way. I didn't want him back last year either. I think that trade really cost us in the long run.

 

Yeah that trade for a backup catcher killed when most of the starting rotation was on the DL this year. Or the fact the bullpen sucked.

[BSN07]

Whoever is gonna catch him head to Wakefield's house in FL for the winter and get in some work so you don't look like Bard( poor guy).

[rician blast]

What no one is considering is does Mirabelli want to come back to Boston? Does he want to be viewed as a guy who is only there to catch for Wakefield? Maybe he's not even considering resigning.

 

Anyone know if Wake has a no-trade clause?

[riverside sluggers]

What no one is considering is does Mirabelli want to come back to Boston? Does he want to be viewed as a guy who is only there to catch for Wakefield? Maybe he's not even considering resigning.

 

Anyone know if Wake has a no-trade clause?

 

Umm, 1 the Sox are not going to trade Wakefield. Especially if he's entering his last season in the majors

 

2, lets see he'll be entering his 13th season with the Sox... Do you think he falls under the 10/5 rule?

[scaffolds]

Look at the title of the post. :harhar:

 

I can't helped if that question is too hard for your limeted brain.

[Bosoxwest]

In reviewing Wake's performance last year, an interesing facet jumps out. When Wake sucks, he usually has balls get away, regardless of catcher. Here is a rough game log for games he took an L or started an L.

 

L 10-4 3 PB 0 UR (Bard)

L 3-0 2 PB 1 UR (Bard)

L 5-1 1 PB 1 UR (UR due to Loretta/Gonz errors - Bard C)

L 7-1 4 PB 2 UR (Bard)

L 4-3 0 PB 0 UR 1 WP (Belli)

L 7-5 3 PB 1 UR (Belli)

L 6-3 1 PB 0 UR (Belli)

L 5-3 2 PB 1 UR 1 WP (Belli)

L 4-0 0 PB 1 UR (Belli throwing E)

L 7-3 0 PB 0 UR 1 WP (Belli) - 3 IP

L 5-0 0 PB 0 UR 2 HBP (Belli)

 

There's no question that Belli had more success with Wake (although it's interesting that Wake threw zero wild pitches with Bard, and three with Belli, isn't it), as he should have with so many more games under his belt. But at least one facet of the situation is that when Wake has no idea where the knuckler is going (this also results in a ton of HR as these games also show) it sure seems like anybody is going to have a problem.

 

There is a "comfort" factor here, in that Wake and Belli have been a battery for a number of games, but Wake's a professional and Belli is just too awful at the plate to warrant signing him as a Binky. If the goal is to give Tek a day off every five, I say find an athletic catcher who hits at least a little and let him take his lumps until he and Wake find a rapport. When Wake throws strikes there doesn't seem to be much of an issue.

[rician blast]

Umm, 1 the Sox are not going to trade Wakefield. Especially if he's entering his last season in the majors

 

2, lets see he'll be entering his 13th season with the Sox... Do you think he falls under the 10/5 rule?

 

 

i guess he probably does...it was just a fkn question, don't get yer panties in a bunch.

[NoPepper]

In reviewing Wake's performance last year' date=' an interesing facet jumps out. [/quote']

 

If having Wakefield as a starter[1] results in 2 roster spots, perhaps its time to re-think Wake on the roster?

 

[1] If Wakefield doesn't start, the whole Mirabelli question is moot, unless you believe that the entire battery will change (and then change again when e.g. the closer comes in???)

[schillingouttheks]

I'm starting to have something brewing here. Slam me if you think it's a terrible idea, or if you think it's a legit idea, let me know. If I were the Sox, I would go after Schmidt or Matsuzaka (obviously). Getting both most likely won't happen, so I'll say we only acquire one. Then, I would go out and get another decent starter that could hold down the 5th slot in the rotation (like a Meche type player) and have the rotation look as follows (in no particular order, these are just the members):

 

Schilling

Beckett

Schmidt/Matsuzaka

Papelbon

Meche/someone else

 

What do you guys think about using Wake to hold down the closer role for 1 season? He's got experience out of the bullpen to go with the large amount of stamina he has as a result of being a knuckleballer. Not to mention the fact that the velocity change for the 9th inning would absolutely baffle hitters. He's also the type of guy, because of his stamina, that could get you 2 inning saves if need be. Hell, maybe even 3 innings. And the best part is, you could probably use him every night that you needed to (I'm not saying you would use him the night after he pitched 3 innings). There's a hole in the back of the bullpen that needs filling. Do you think Wake could hold down the closer role for this year only, and then next off-season go after a closer when the market would be much more appealing (Francisco Cordero would be available) ?

 

Let me know your thoughts. If you hate it, well then, say it, but I don't think this idea is too crazy.

[scaffolds]

Wakefield is #2 in Games pitched with 443, #2 in Games started with 306, #3 in Wins with 137, #1 in losses with 122, #3 in innings pitched with 2221, #3 in strike outs with 1570, #2 in Bases on Balls with 838 (18 away from the #1) All of this numbers are all time wearing a red Sox uniform, don't expect the Red Sox to trade or make change just because of who is catching him.

[Cocos Disciples]

 

There's no question that Belli had more success with Wake (although it's interesting that Wake threw zero wild pitches with Bard, and three with Belli, isn't it), as he should have with so many more games under his belt.

 

No not really. The passed balls, something a catcher has much more control over, were through the roof with Bard.

[schillingouttheks]

Bahhhhhhhhh. I was afraid this was going to happen. Someone made a post after mine and the attention got taken away from my post. I'm really interested in what people think about my proposition about Wakefield. Read post #24.

[Cocos Disciples]

I'm starting to have something brewing here. Slam me if you think it's a terrible idea, or if you think it's a legit idea, let me know. If I were the Sox, I would go after Schmidt or Matsuzaka (obviously). Getting both most likely won't happen, so I'll say we only acquire one. Then, I would go out and get another decent starter that could hold down the 5th slot in the rotation (like a Meche type player) and have the rotation look as follows (in no particular order, these are just the members):

 

Schilling

Beckett

Schmidt/Matsuzaka

Papelbon

Meche/someone else

 

What do you guys think about using Wake to hold down the closer role for 1 season? He's got experience out of the bullpen to go with the large amount of stamina he has as a result of being a knuckleballer. Not to mention the fact that the velocity change for the 9th inning would absolutely baffle hitters. He's also the type of guy, because of his stamina, that could get you 2 inning saves if need be. Hell, maybe even 3 innings. And the best part is, you could probably use him every night that you needed to (I'm not saying you would use him the night after he pitched 3 innings). There's a hole in the back of the bullpen that needs filling. Do you think Wake could hold down the closer role for this year only, and then next off-season go after a closer when the market would be much more appealing (Francisco Cordero would be available) ?

 

Let me know your thoughts. If you hate it, well then, say it, but I don't think this idea is too crazy.

 

Ehh I don't really love the idea of having Wake hold down a 1 run lead in the 9th. He just scares me. If he were to be in the bullpen, middle reliever would be a better spot where he can hold the fort for a few innings, with much less pressure.

[ORS]

SOTK, I don't like Wake closing because he's got, as you would expect with the knuckleball, inconsistent control. I'd rather see Foulke (if healthy) because he has surgeon like control.

[schillingouttheks]

Yeah, that was the one thing that was bothering me when I was writing it, but I guess I decided to turn the shoulder to it <_>

 

I guess I wanted to see if someone else would point that out. Which you did. Fair enough.