The Boston Red Sox announced Friday that the club has signed catcher John Flaherty to a one-year contract. As per team policy, financial terms were not released. Flaherty, a 14-year veteran, had spent the past three seasons with the New York Yankees. Last year he batted just .165, his lowest average since 1994, with two homers and 11 RBI in 47 games. Originally selected by Boston in the 25th round of the 1988 Draft, Flaherty is a career .252 hitter with 80 home runs and 395 RBI in 1,047 games with the Red Sox (1992-93), Detroit Tigers (1994-96), San Diego Padres (1996-97), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998-2002) and the New York Yankees (2003-05). The 38-year-old Flaherty made his major league debut with the Red Sox in 1992 and played 48 games through the 1993 season before being traded to the Tigers. This marks Boston's first signing since it was reported Tuesday night that free agent centerfielder Johnny Damon bolted Beantown to play for the Yankees.