The Sox reached the tentative accord while a number of teams eyed Mirabelli as a prospective backup amid significant movement in the catching ranks. In recent days, the Brewers signed Oakland free agent Damian Miller, the Twins picked up Florida free agent Mike Redmond, the Angels exercised Bengie Molina's option, and the A's were close to acquiring Jason Kendall from the Pirates for lefthanders Mark Redman and Arthur Rhodes.
Though the Sox placed a high priority on retaining Mirabelli, they have no plans to significantly expand his backup role and remain committed to pursuing Varitek, the top catcher on the free agent market. The Sox have offered Varitek about $36 million over four years while he has sought $55 million over five years, and the sides may need a while to resolve their differences. (With the Sox expected to offer Varitek salary arbitration by Dec. 7, he would have until Dec. 19 to decide whether to accept. If he were to reject the offer, the sides would have until Jan. 8 to reach a deal or forfeit their rights to negotiate until May 1.)
Mirabelli, who turned 34 Oct. 18, has paid major dividends since former general manager Dan Duquette acquired him from the Rangers for farmhand Justin Duchscherer June 12, 2001. It was the same day Varitek underwent season-ending surgery after he fractured his right elbow making a sensational catch of a foul pop at Fenway Park.
A positive force in the clubhouse, Mirabelli last season caught all but 2 1/3 innings of Wakefield's 188 1/3-inning workload. As a consequence, Mirabelli led the league in passed balls (15) and caught only eight of 46 runners stealing, a 17.4 percent success rate. But he made only two errors (Varitek also committed only two) as the Sox catchers matched their counterparts with the A's and Mariners for the league's best fielding percentage (.997).
