[legend]

Are the Red Sox beginning to wonder why they didn't keep Doug Mirabelli? I don't know what the circumstances of his leaving were, but if it was over a few bucks they should have paid him. Josh Bard looked like he was going to break down and cry last night after not being able to catch Wakefield's knuckler. Mirabelli had some power and always got a few big hits during the season. Huge mistake not to keep him if they could have.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

Well, they were able to trade Mirabelli for a pretty solid 2B, a position where they really didn't have any other options. It wasn't just a matter of paying him more money.

The jury is still out on Josh Bard, but I will point out that in Mirabelli's first game catching Wakefield, he had 2 or 3 passed balls and the Sox lost 8-4. Varitek also had quite a bit of trouble in the 2004 ALCS as I'm sure many people remember. Tek even had some trouble with a couple of Beckett's pitches last night, and he's one of the best in the game. I think one game is a bit too early to be writing anyone off.

(There's also the matter of Wake throwing a pretty brutal game, as he always does in Texas. I was there and it was just ugly on all fronts.)

[ThePundit]

I didn't even realize that Mirabelli wasn't on the team. Dumb move by Boston. Was this made when Epstein wasn't around? And it's typical. My fantasy team has Wakefield on it this year.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

Well, Wakefield got a nice win today, and Josh Bard not only looked better but also contributed offensively. Also contributing offensively was Mark Loretta, who we acquired in the Mirabelli trade. Let's hold off on calling this a "dumb" move.

[LSC9901]

I agree with City. Give the guy a few games to see how he really does. Spring training doesn't have the same pressures as the regular season. I'm sure he'll come around in a while when he gets more real time behind him.

[legend]

Josh Bard update- 2 for 12 so far this year with 6 passed balls! Still looks really uncomfortable out there.

[ThePundit]

Wakefield's last couple of outings have been pretty good though. Does anyone know who got rid of Mirabelli? Was it Epstein or the "interim management team"?

[LSC9901]

Epstein was not on the roles at the time. It could have been Craig Shipley.

[legend]

Josh Bard update- 4 passed balls yesterday, 10 for the year-5 for 17 at the plate

[MJHMarc]

Mirabelli is a catcher, right? So what is the point of having Mirabelli when you have Varitek?

[legend]

Mirabelli was Wakefield's personal catcher. He gave Varitek a day off every five games when Wakefield's turn came up in the rotation. Catchers cannot play every day like infielders or outfielders beacuse the position wears you down so much, especially once it gets hot. Mirabelli had problems with Wakefiled's knuckleball as well when he first starting catching him, but he developed into a guy who was able to handle it for the most part. When Wakefield throws his fastball over the plate, it gets tattoed. He needs to know that when there is a man on third, he can throw his knuckleball and that his catcher is going to handle it. So far, Bard has had a difficult time, but that doesn't mean he won't be able to get better. It just seems to me that the money that it would have taken to keep Mirabelli couldn't have been that much so as to let him walk away. He was a decent hitter with good power, and could also be used as a DH from time to time.

[MVB]

Even though I am a Yankee fan ( and enjoy watching the Sox lose) , it was hard to keep watching the Sox/Indians game the other night. Josh Bard couldn't keep hold of a thing, and I felt really sorry for Wakefield. He's pitched really decently this year, but Bard just doesn't cut it. Getting rid of Mirabelli.... very foolish.