BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox made a deal with the San Diego Padres. But it didn't involve David Wells.

According to a report on the Boston Herald's web site Wednesday, the Red Sox have agreed on a deal that would send backup catcher Doug Mirabelli to the Padres for second baseman Mark Loretta.

The lefthanded Wells has requested a trade back to Southern California to be closer to his family and the Red Sox have talked to the Padres this offseason, but no deal seems imminent.

According to the report, an official announcement is being delayed at the request of the Padres, who are awaiting a decision from closer Trevor Hoffman.

The 34-year-old Loretta is a .301 career hitter and is signed through 2006 at a salary of $3 million. With Boston having minor leaguer Dustin Pedroia on the horizon, Loretta is being viewed as a short-term solution.

After batting .335 with 47 doubles, 16 homers and 76 RBI in 2004, Loretta was bothered by a thumb injury this past season and hit just .280 with three homers and 38 RBI in 105 contests.

Mirabelli has been one of the better backup catchers during his four years in Boston. Used primarily as knuckleballer Tim Wakefield's personal catcher, he hit .281 with nine homers and 32 RBI during Boston's World Series championship season in 2004 but slumped to .228 with six homers and 18 RBI this past season.

The 35-year-old will give the Padres an experienced receiver with Ramon Hernandez leaving via free agency.

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