BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Red Sox added Rudy Seanez and dropped Chad Bradford on Tuesday in their effort to rebuild the worst bullpen in the American League by focusing on versatile relievers.

The Red Sox did not offer contracts to Bradford and starting pitcher Wade Miller, making them free agents, and retained rights to starters Josh Beckett and Bronson Arroyo and reliever Guillermo Mota by offering contracts before the midnight Tuesday 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 in 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 the team’s position on left fielder Manny Ramirez and starter David Wells, who have asked to be traded. He said the team is trying to accommodate them, but has not received acceptable offers.

He also said that the team had talked with Ramirez at least once and his representatives multiple times.

“We continue to talk to him in an effort to try to appease some of his concerns,” Cherington said.

The Red Sox hoped Miller could help after being bothered by injuries in Houston. Physical problems sidelined him again and he finished at 4-4 with a 4.95 ERA before right shoulder surgery ended his season. Co-general manager Jed Hoyer said the team would like to bring him back, perhaps under a minor-league deal.

Last season, the Red Sox bullpen had a 5.17 ERA, worst in the AL and second worst in the majors. It also had the fewest strikeouts in the majors. So the club has parted ways with two sidearmers – lefty Mike Myers, who usually pitches only to lefties, and righty Bradford, who specializes in facing right-handed batters.

“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 by Myers’ and Bradford’s limitations.

Seanez returned to the Red Sox after two solid seasons when he agreed 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 righty Mota in a trade with Florida that also brought Beckett, but Mota was much better last season against righties than lefties.

Tuesday’s deadline applied to players without enough major-league experience to declare free agency earlier. Two players who had declared free agency, center fielder Johnny Damon and second baseman Tony Graffanino, had until midnight Monday to decide on Boston’s offer of salary arbitration made Dec. 7.

Damon rejected it, and on Tuesday reportedly agreed to a four-year $52 million deal with the New York Yankees. Graffanino accepted although Boston had obtained Mark Loretta from San Diego as its starting second baseman.

Graffanino and Tampa Bay first baseman Travis Lee were the only two of 26 free agents offered salary arbitration who accepted. They are considered signed players, with salaries to be determined.

Cherington said the team wasn’t surprised by Graffanino’s acceptance and said he is versatile enough to be used elsewhere in the infield.

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 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.

AP-ES-12-20-05 2335EST