December 16, 2006 at 4:55 AM
Sox sign Romero, re-sign Mirabelli
The Boston Red Sox plugged two more holes Friday, announcing the signing of J. C. Romero and Doug Mirabelli. Romero, a 30-year-old free agent left handed specialist who spent 2006 with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, represents a reclamation project, having put up a 6.70 ERA. Romero, who had a general run of success in Minnesota before his bumpy single season in Anaheim, reportedly signed for $1.6 million. He joins fellow southpaw Hideki Okajima in the Sox bullpen, a point of weakness for Boston in recent years. In resigning Doug Mirabelli, a familiar face to Red Sox fans, Boston has filled its back up catcher position with a known quantity, intimately familiar with RHP Tim Wakefield's signature knuckleball. Mirabelli is slated to earn $750,000 in 2007, a figure that could rise to $975,00 if he meets performance incentives.