BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Red Sox added Rudy Seanez and dropped Chad Bradford on Tuesday in their effort to rebuild the AL’s worst bullpen.

The Red Sox did not offer contracts to Bradford and starting pitcher Wade Miller, making them free agents Wednesday, and retained rights to starters Josh Beckett and Bronson Arroyo and reliever Guillermo Mota by offering contracts before the midnight deadline.

Keith Foulke, who lost his closer’s job while hampered by knee problems, will regain that role, co-general manager Ben Cherington said.

“”He’ll go into spring training as the closer and he’ll have every opportunity to be the closer for 2006,” Cherington said during a conference call Tuesday.

Foulke had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in July and went 5-5 with a 5.91 ERA and four blown saves. He began the season with a 3.04 career ERA.

Cherington said there was no change in Boston’s position on left fielder Manny Ramirez and starter David Wells, who have asked to be traded. He said the Red Sox are trying to accommodate them but haven’t received acceptable offers.

The Red Sox hoped Miller could help but physical problems sidelined him again and he finished 4-4 with a 4.95 before right shoulder surgery. Co-general manager Jed Hoyer said the team would like to bring him back, perhaps with a minor league contract.

Last season, the Red Sox bullpen had a 5.17 ERA and the fewest strikeouts in the majors. So the club has parted ways with two sidearmers – the right-handed Bradford and lefty Mike Myers, who signed with the New York Yankees.

“We’ve been trying to build a deeper bullpen,” Cherington said, “one that is more versatile, one that allows our manager and our staff a little more flexibility.”

He said manager Terry Francona “was hamstrung” at times because he was reluctant to use Myers and Bradford against righties and lefties.

Seanez returned to the Red Sox after two solid seasons, agreeing to a a one-year contract that guarantees him $2.1 million and could be worth up to $5.3 million over two years if he pitches regularly as a setup man.

The 37-year-old right-hander, who passed a physical Tuesday, went 7-1 with a 2.69 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 60 1-3 innings with San Diego last season and was second among NL relievers with 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings. He was more effective against lefties with a 2.45 ERA compared with 2.90 against righties.

In the past two seasons, Seanez was 10-2 with a 2.96 ERA in 96 relief appearances. In 2003, he was 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA in nine relief outings for the Red Sox.

“He’s been outstanding the last two years,” Hoyer said. “He has really improved his command. His strikeout numbers have been outstanding.”

Boston obtained the right-handed Mota in a trade with Florida that also brought Beckett, but Mota was much better last season against righties than lefties.

A day earlier, second baseman Tony Graffanino accepted Boston’s salary arbitration offer, making him a signed player, but center fielder Johnny Damon rejected it. Boston has until Jan. 8 to re-sign Damon.

“More teams have traded for or signed center fielders, so the market is clearer,” Hoyer said. “Our absolute priority is to bring Johnny back.”

Seanez has a $1.9 million base salary next year, and the Red Sox have a 2007 option at $2.1 million plus whatever performance bonuses he earns in 2006. If the option is declined, Seanez would get a $200,000 buyout.

In 2006 only, Seanez would get $25,000 each for 10 and 15 games, $50,000 each for 20, 25, 30 and 35 games and $100,000 for 40 games and each additional five games through 60.

If he becomes Boston’s closer and has 30 games finished next year, the option becomes a player option. He also can earn $500,000 annually based on games finished.