BOSTON -- A most familiar catching tandem will be in an unfamiliar position this spring. Jason Varitek and Doug Mirabelli, for so long a backstop of stability for the Red Sox, will spend 2007 trying to prove that last year was just a bad year, and not a sign of individual or collective decline.

Take away Mirabelli's one-month stint with the San Diego Padres for the first month of last season, and Varitek and Mirabelli have been the Boston battery since the start of the 2002 season.

That battery seemed to be missing the recharge adapter in 2006, as both players struggled mightily at the plate.

In particular, Varitek -- Boston's catcher, captain and leader -- never got in any kind of groove. The likely reason for his subpar numbers (.238 average, 12 homers, 55 RBIs) is that he was never healthy.

Shortly after returning from the World Baseball Classic, Varitek strained his glute muscle and his hitting mechanics seemed to suffer. Perhaps compensating for that ailment led to other parts of Varitek's typically durable body breaking down.

During a game against the Indians on July 31, Varitek's left knee became so bad that he could no longer move any faster than a limp. That was when he had no choice but to shut it down, having arthroscopic surgery a couple of days later and not returning until early September, at which point the Red Sox had found themselves out of playoff contention.

While catchers tend to break down at an earlier age than players at any other position, Varitek has long worked hard enough on his offseason conditioning to make himself a candidate to have the type of longevity once displayed by Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk. That is why the Red Sox aren't about to assume Varitek is headed for a decline, even though he'll be 35 on April 11.

"Jason never looked like he got comfortable from either side of the plate the whole year," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "And I think that will give us a huge boost just getting him back to threat he should be."

At his best, Varitek is a power threat from both sides of the plate and an immovable rock behind it. Even during his offensive struggles, he maintained his excellence on defense, where he is widely lauded for his preparation and communication with the pitching staff. No catcher in baseball blocks the plate better than Varitek.

Boston Red Sox • Catchers: Backstops aim to rebound • Corner IF: Duo brings professionalism • Middle IF: Pair of newcomers • Outfielders: Manny is still Manny • Starters: Potential to be dynamic • Bullpen: In search of a closer • DH/Bench: Ortiz tops among DHs

While the Red Sox were flooded with injuries as a team over the final two months, Varitek's loss is the one that the team never seemed to recover from.

In past years, Mirabelli would have picked up his long-time teammate. But the backup catcher didn't display the type of dependability that has marked most of his tenure in Boston.

In fact, there seemed to be a prevailing notion that the Red Sox would not bring Mirabelli -- a free agent -- back for 2007. But Mirabelli took a substantial cut in pay and gave general manager Theo Epstein his word that he has great determination to bounce back from his woes of 2006, when he hit .193.

"Doug has done a lot for this club over the years," said Epstein. "I think last year was a disappointing year for him. I think he would say that and we would certainly say that. He's got a lot to prove. He wants to demonstrate that he's an integral part of this club and certainly he has been in the past. I think you're getting a guy who's going to work extremely hard this winter to re-establish himself as a valuable, contributing member of this team."

The one area Mirabelli helps with most -- catching Tim Wakefield -- was nullified when the knuckleballer spent nearly three months on the disabled list with a fracture in his ribcage.

By parting ways with Mirabelli, the Red Sox would have had to break in someone new with Wakefield. During Mirabelli's brief San Diego stay, that did not go well. John Flaherty chose retirement over catching knuckleballs and Josh Bard -- who eventually thrived in San Diego after being dealt there for Mirabelli -- had a nightmarish time trying to handle the knuckleball.

"I think the one guy we know can catch Tim Wakefield is Doug Mirabelli," said Epstein. "There comes a time if that's not a viable option, you have to experiment. But I think any time you have a known commodity as far as someone we know who can handle him, it's a check mark in his favor."

The Red Sox do have some insurance in the event that Varitek or Mirabelli suffers an injury. Veteran Alberto Castillo, widely lauded for his defense, was signed to a Minor League contract.

And the Red Sox think highly of prospect George Kottaras, the man they acquired for David Wells last Aug. 31. In fact, the development staff is working hard with Kottaras on his defense to speed up his ascension to the Major Leagues.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.