With a guaranteed $2.5 million in his contract for 2006, Red Sox lefthander David Wells intends to return for his 20th season in the major leagues, according to an industry source. But Wells, who turns 43 May 20 and plans to have knee surgery this winter, has conveyed to the Red Sox a desire to finish his career on the West Coast -- he has a home near San Diego -- and the Sox have indicated they will try to honor his request. Wells went 15-7 with an earned run average of 4.45 for the Sox this season, and by making 30 starts, he met all the performance clauses in his contract, enabling him to make a maximum of $9 million as stipulated in the deal. But Wells would prefer to be closer to home -- he pitched for the Padres in 2004 and could have re-signed last winter but negotiations broke down.