Kevin Cash evolved as a better defensive catcher than Doug Mirabelli, which is why the Red Sox released Mirabelli, general manager Theo Epstein said.

Epstein said "this was a debate early in camp." And the argument kept leaning toward Cash.

Cash showed he can catch knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield, when Cash filled in for the injured Mirabelli late last season.

And apparently, the Red Sox liked the way Cash handles the other pitchers.

"He's proven he can catch Wakefield," manager Terry Francona said "And not just Wake, but with out entire staff."

As for former Sea Dogs catchers Dusty Brown and George Kottaras, Francona said, "those guys aren't ready (but) they're exciting to us as prospects."

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