To Tim Wakefield, Doug Mirabelli was not a backup catcher. He was there every time Wakefield took the mound.

"I'm disappointed," Wakefield said last night upon learning that Mirabelli had been traded to the San Diego Padres for second baseman Mark Loretta. "Doug and I have done such a good job for the past 4 1/2 years, so I'm disappointed in that sense.

"He was a great guy and a good teammate, and it's sad to see him go. I'm happy that he's going to get to catch on a more regular basis, but selfishly I'm sad to see him go because we worked so well together."

According to Red Sox special adviser Bill Lajoie and special assistant Craig Shipley, the Sox already have contacted Wakefield about potential successors to Mirabelli. The Sox will weigh Wakefield's consideration upon signing a new backup catcher, whom they will likely sign as a free agent.

Wakefield said he spoke with Mirabelli following news of the trade.

"He's disappointed, but I also think he understood it wasn't anything that he did wrong," Wakefield said. "When somebody gets traded, that's the first thing that goes through your mind: What did I do wrong?' I think it was a Padres deal in the sense that they wanted him, not that we didn't."