From the Boston Globe’s Chris Snow :
The Red Sox have re-acquired Doug Mirabelli from the Padres in exchange for catcher Josh Bard, minor-league pitcher Cla Meredith, and cash (which figures to be in the six-figure range). The Yankees were also trying to acquire Mirabelli.
Mirabelli, who is flying to Boston from the West Coast, is expected to be in the starting lineup — and catch Tim Wakefield — for tonight™s Red Sox-Yankees game at Fenway.
The Sox had dealt Mirabelli to San Diego for second baseman Mark Loretta in December.
Bard had filled Mirabelli™s role as Tim Wakefield™s personal catcher, but had struggled catching the knuckleball. He leads the majors with 10 passed balls.
Mirabelli supposedly presumed he’d be a starting catcher in San Diego, a hope shattered with their later acquisition of Mike Piazza.
Still no word on who the Mets will be trotting out to start in place of Brian Bannister on Tuesday night, but the most likely candidates are the following :
1) John Maine
2) Jose Lima
3) Jeremi Gonzalez
4) Anthony Young
5) Roger Craig
6) Anyone But Aaron Heilman
Getting Paid To Watch’s Bob Sikes suggests making a deal for the Twins’ Johan Santana, though I’d sooner bet on Roger Craig taking the mound.