BOSTON -- The Red Sox took an unusual step yesterday toward finding a closer by finalizing a $4-million, one-year contract with Joel Pineiro, who has one save in 185 major-league games.

With Jonathan Papelbon headed for the rotation after saving 35 games last year and a slim market for available closers, Boston hopes Pineiro can emerge as a consistent finisher.

"He's a guy, even when he was a starter, a lot of our reports were that he would be pretty unbelievable in the bullpen," assistant general manager Jed Hoyer said yesterday. "The early part of the season may show a lot as to who's going to be the closer later in the season, but you don't have to have your postseason roster set in April."

Pineiro, 28, pitched very well in 2002 and 2003, but injuries set him back and he was 21-35 in his last three seasons and had a 6.36 E.R.A. last year. He became a free agent in December after spending all seven of his seasons with Seattle.

"After I got hurt a little bit in 2004 everything went downhill," the right-hander said, "but knowing I don't have to go out there and throw 215 innings, I think it'll be good for me."

Hoyer also said he expects activity to pick up toward signing outfielder J.D. Drew. The free agent from the Los Angeles Dodgers had reached a preliminary agreement on a $70-million, five-year contract, but the Red Sox are concerned about the condition of his right shoulder.

"I think the holidays interrupted some of the dialogue," Hoyer said. "I think that will pick back up here in the next little bit."

Pineiro became a free agent when Seattle didn't offer him a contract. The agreement with Boston includes a mutual option for 2008 and $2 million in performance bonuses based on games finished.

"Our philosophy this offseason has been let's get as many good quality power arms as we can," Hoyer said. "There wasn't a B.J. Ryan or Billy Wagner (available)."

Pineiro said he received offers from other teams to start, but "I wanted to go to a team where I had a chance to win right away."

He is 58-55 with a 4.48 E.R.A. in his career. He was 8-13 in 25 starts and 15 relief appearances last season, when he made $6.8 million. He finished six of those games and had his only save Sept. 8 against Texas.

"I (closed) at the end a little bit last year," he said. "I wasn't happy in the beginning because I wanted to keep on starting . . . but I said, 'I want to be pitching, I want the ball in my hand,' and it worked out pretty good."

Pineiro has appeared in relief 37 times. As a reliever last year, he was 1-1 with a 4.81 E.R.A.