Mirabelli Deal Almost Done
So it looks like we're close to wrapping up a 1 year, 1.5 million dollar deal with Doug Mirabelli. I thought it was a done deal already, but apparently it's not completely finalized yet. Hopefully I'm not jumping the gun here, but I needed something to write about so I'm gonna take a chance and hope I don't have to amend it later.
This is a good move. Mirabelli is a great backup catcher who has been tagged with the dubious honor of being the "best backup catcher in the game". You would think a guy with that kind of title would be able to find more playing time somewhere. Fortunately for us, that didn't happen and I'm surprised.
Like Kapler, this guy loves playing in this city for this team. Also like Kapler, he wants to play more and I suspected he would get that offer from some team somewhere. I don't know, maybe he didn't, or maybe it wasn't enough to lure him out of here. Either way, that's good for us.
I admit, he's one of the few players I didn't know much about when we picked him up from Texas during the "01" season, to help fill in the void left by Varitek's spectacular diving catch of a foul ball in the on deck circle, that cost him the rest of the season and caused the Sox to redo the entire area afterward.
I've gotten to know the kind of player he is over the last 3 1/2 seasons, and I like it. He's a gamer, always plays hard, is well prepared for calling his games, works well with the pitching staff, and can hit a little. He didn't play a lot, but it seems like whenever he was in there he always came up with a big hit for us. From everything I've read and seen, he's also a good clubhouse guy, who likes to do a lot of talking, but it's the kind of talking that makes everyone laugh and keeps them loose.
He was a key part of the "o4" Championship and should continue to be a key part of this team next season. Once Tek is signed (and that WILL happen), I suspect we may see Mirabelli's playing time increase slightly as he spells Tek a little more often to help keep him fresh. This is a good thing, if there's one guy I want to see in the game while Tek's getting the day off, it's Doug Mirabelli. Of course, when I say that, I mean as far as backup catchers go, because obviously we can't have Pudge Rodriguez or Javey Lopez backing up Tek.
Anyway, welcome back Doug, and thanks for coming back. Looking forward to watching you help bring us another one.
Speaking of catchers, what the hell is the deal with the Sox firing bullpen catcher Dana Levangie? This is a local guy from Brockton whose been doing the job for 8 years, and according to The Globe, the move caught him by surprise. I don't get it. What happened here? I'd like to know. Tough break Dana. That had to be a great job, I'd take in a heartbeat.
This is a good move. Mirabelli is a great backup catcher who has been tagged with the dubious honor of being the "best backup catcher in the game". You would think a guy with that kind of title would be able to find more playing time somewhere. Fortunately for us, that didn't happen and I'm surprised.
Like Kapler, this guy loves playing in this city for this team. Also like Kapler, he wants to play more and I suspected he would get that offer from some team somewhere. I don't know, maybe he didn't, or maybe it wasn't enough to lure him out of here. Either way, that's good for us.
I admit, he's one of the few players I didn't know much about when we picked him up from Texas during the "01" season, to help fill in the void left by Varitek's spectacular diving catch of a foul ball in the on deck circle, that cost him the rest of the season and caused the Sox to redo the entire area afterward.
I've gotten to know the kind of player he is over the last 3 1/2 seasons, and I like it. He's a gamer, always plays hard, is well prepared for calling his games, works well with the pitching staff, and can hit a little. He didn't play a lot, but it seems like whenever he was in there he always came up with a big hit for us. From everything I've read and seen, he's also a good clubhouse guy, who likes to do a lot of talking, but it's the kind of talking that makes everyone laugh and keeps them loose.
He was a key part of the "o4" Championship and should continue to be a key part of this team next season. Once Tek is signed (and that WILL happen), I suspect we may see Mirabelli's playing time increase slightly as he spells Tek a little more often to help keep him fresh. This is a good thing, if there's one guy I want to see in the game while Tek's getting the day off, it's Doug Mirabelli. Of course, when I say that, I mean as far as backup catchers go, because obviously we can't have Pudge Rodriguez or Javey Lopez backing up Tek.
Anyway, welcome back Doug, and thanks for coming back. Looking forward to watching you help bring us another one.
Speaking of catchers, what the hell is the deal with the Sox firing bullpen catcher Dana Levangie? This is a local guy from Brockton whose been doing the job for 8 years, and according to The Globe, the move caught him by surprise. I don't get it. What happened here? I'd like to know. Tough break Dana. That had to be a great job, I'd take in a heartbeat.
posted by Bob at 11/28/2004 09:30:00 AM
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