February 20, 200521 yr JUPITER, Fla. -- Ivan Rodriguez played a role in the Marlins perhaps finding their backup catcher this spring. Mike DiFelice is competing for a job on the Marlins largely because Rodriguez, who spent the 2003 season in Florida, signed with the Tigers shortly before the start of last year's Spring Training. Prior to the 2004 season, DiFelice figured he would be in line to backup Brandon Inge in Detroit. Those plans changed with the big-splash signing of Rodriguez, resulting in DiFelice opening the year with Triple-A Toledo. By September, DiFelice was on the Cubs' roster, capping off a season where he appeared in just 17 Major League games with 25 total at-bats. This spring, DiFelice has a brighter window of opportunity with the Marlins. With veteran Mike Redmond signing as a free agent with the Twins, the Marlins are seeking reserve help for two-time All-Star Paul Lo Duca. If experience matters, DiFelice has the inside track over Matt Treanor and Josh Willingham. "My window is pretty much set," said DiFelice, who broke in with Tampa Bay in 1998 and has played for six big league teams. "This is where I'm going to be. It's going to be a backup role. That's kind of how my career has been. You put yourself in position where if they need you, you're ready. You try to play as much as they need you, to keep the wheels rolling when you're in there. For me, I have to go out there and prove myself, and show I can still play." Signed as a non-roster invitee, DiFelice has no guarantees. What he does have is the reputation as a solid catch-and-throw defender. "My signing here was pretty evident," said DiFelice, a career .239 hitter. "They're a good team, a championship-caliber team. Any player wants to put himself in a winning situation. These guys just missed the playoffs last year and they won the World Series the year before. "I got caught in a situation in Detroit where I signed a contract and thought I'd do what I usually do, go out and catch 60 games. I didn't get a chance to do that because they had Inge and then they signed Pudge late. It was a situation where they didn't have a need for me. They kept their other guys. But I know I can play."
February 20, 200521 yr He'll really light things up, just ask that girl he burned in that bar a few years back.
February 20, 200521 yr I really hope Willingham is the backup catcher. 690783[/snapback] He's got starter potential, so I don't see how he can improve sitting on the bench. I say he either starts in the majors or starts in AAA.
February 20, 200521 yr It's nice to have a good backup catcher who you could rely on. He'll always be ready whenever we need him and it's nice to have that secure feeling of having someone to lean back on whenever we need to give our starting catcher a day off or if he were to get hurt.
February 20, 200521 yr I really hope Willingham is the backup catcher. 690783[/snapback] If he could improve his defense, he'd be great.
February 20, 200521 yr Willingham won't be a starter until 08 or 07 at the earliest with LoDuca signed up for 3 more years
February 20, 200521 yr Willingham won't be a starter until 08 or 07 at the earliest with LoDuca signed up for 3 more years 690866[/snapback] he'll be in the OF or with a new team by then :plain
February 21, 200521 yr redmond was awsome. i loved their first and last "Show" before the game. he was also a great catcher. he will be missed.
February 21, 200521 yr Saw Red on TV today. He seemed kind of indifferent about being on the Twins. 691009[/snapback] Too bad to hear that. I'm sure all things considered, Red would prefer to be here.
February 21, 200521 yr None will live up to the legend, Bob Natal 690762[/snapback] Don't forget the man himself, Joe Siddall.
February 21, 200521 yr Willingham can play more positions, so he would be a better choice for backup catcher. Also, Willingham could get some big league experience for when he starts in the OF next season after Enc and Conine are gone.
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