Yankees Ink Flaherty

Yankees mirror the Mirabelli re-signing by inking their own back-up catcher.

One time Red Sox catcher John Flaherty was re-signed to pinstripes. While the fates of both the teams starting catchers remains uncertain as Jason Varitek's free agency remains up in the air and the clouds of trade rumors have begun to circle around Jorge Posada it is certain that both teams with have their trusted veteran back-up backstops back next season. While Doug Mirabelli is recieving roughly $3 Million from the Red Sox over 2 years the Yankees deal is simply a one-year contract worth about $800,000. Money well earned for both the respected back ups, Mirabelli has been a Red Sox since 2001, Flaherty since 2003.

Doug Mirabelli was acquired in a trade with the Texas Rangers during 2001 season and has been the back-up to Jason Varitek ever since, doing a great job with the staff and recently being most-known as the only man who can track down the Tim Wakefield knuckleball. As for Flaherty, not as much playing time in 2003, but still a veteran clubhouse presence who can fill in if ever a short time arises.

Could the Yankees have done better, of course -- they're the Yankees -- and this is not saying that I don't think they'll still not go for another number two if one so happens to arise for a good price, but overall a good move by the Yankees to resign Flaherty. The former Boston Red Sox catcher which i admired when I played little league as a catcher myself...




Paolo DeVito
Philly's Own Fenway Faithful