BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Red Sox have signed backup catcher Doug Mirabelli to a two-year deal worth $3 million, making him the first of the World Series champions’ 16 free agents to re-sign.

Mirabelli will earn a $200,000 signing bonus and $1.4 million in each of the next two seasons.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein announced the two-year deal Monday, though the team would not release any financial terms. A management official who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed the terms.

Mirabelli made $825,000 last season, when he batted .281 with nine homers and 32 RBIs in 160 at-bats as Jason Varitek’s backup and the regular catcher for knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

Mirabelli had sought work as a regular catcher. Instead, he nearly doubled his pay to stay with the Red Sox, who are also trying to re-sign Varitek.

Varitek’s agent, Scott Boras, has said he wants a five-year deal for $50 million.

The Red Sox have 14 unsigned free agents remaining, including Varitek, pitchers Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe and shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

Boston has reportedly offered Martinez a two-year contract worth about $25 million with a third year that could become guaranteed to bring the deal to $38 million. Cabrera is seeking a multiyear deal, but the Red Sox don’t want to commit long-term because prospect Hanley Ramirez could be ready as soon as 2006.

Mirabelli, 34, was acquired during the 2001 season from the Texas Rangers for Justin Duchscherer. Mirabelli hit .305 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in his 41 starts last season. He had a .525 slugging percentage last year – best among AL catchers with at least 40 games.

Red Sox pitchers had a 4.19 ERA with Varitek behind the plate, compared to 4.26 with Mirabelli.

AP-ES-11-29-04 1958EST