Bard agreed to a non-guaranteed, one-year contract with Boston, giving the Red Sox additional depth behind the plate. The deal announced Friday includes a club option for 2010.

Bard played seven games for the Red Sox in 2006, when he struggled to catch Tim Wakefield's knuckleball and was traded to San Diego along with reliever Cla Meredith for catcher Doug Mirabelli.

"I'm extremely excited," Bard said on a conference call. "Obviously, the last time I didn't leave on the terms I'd like to."

Bard currently is the only catcher on Boston's roster with substantial major league experience. Last season's starting catcher, Jason Varitek, is a free agent.

"We feel like this time it'll be more than catching Wake," Bard said. "I think the better you play, the more opportunity you get to play."

Bard recalled that when he was first traded to the Padres, he started to think his days in the majors might be limited as he sat on the bench for a lengthy period.

"Scary is not getting back and catching Wakefield," Bard said. "Scary is being traded and not playing for 13 days.

"I think this time around I'm going to be aggressive," he added. "It's the best thing that ever happened in my career and one of the best things that's ever happened in my life, helping me grow up."

The 30-year-old Bard batted .202 with a homer and 16 RBIs in 178 at-bats for the Padres last season, spending time on the disabled list with a sprained left ankle and a strained right triceps.

His career batting average is .265, with 28 home runs and 168 RBIs in 431 games with the Indians, Red Sox and Padres. He has the fifth-best average among active catchers with at least 350 games.

Boston RedSox News News » Red Sox, C Josh Bard agree to 1-year deal
Red Sox, C Josh Bard agree to 1-year deal
BOSTON (AP) - Josh Bard is getting another chance to catch on with the Boston Red Sox. MLB Hot Stove