J.D. Drew signs with Red Sox

Originally Posted by ESPN

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- J.D. Drew and the Boston Red Sox culminated weeks of negotiations by reaching a preliminary agreement Tuesday on a $70 million, five-year contract.

Drew will receive $14 million annually in the deal, which is subject to a physical. He gives the Red Sox a powerful middle of the batting order alongside David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez -- if Ramirez isn't traded.

"He's going to be a contributor. They had two big sluggers, righty-lefty, Ortiz and Ramirez," agent Scott Boras said. "J.D. has a great on-base percentage. He gives you a quality at-bat. He's an RBI guy. And he's really going to add a defensive component to that team that is, I think, really going to enhance their play, what they do both with arm strength and his ability to cover ground in the outfield. And his baserunning -- he can run a little bit. He is going to steal 20 or 30 bases. He's going to bring a dimension there."

Boras also represents Daisuke Matsuzaka. Boston bid $51,111,111 for his rights and has until Dec. 14 to reach an agreement. The pitcher's current team, the Seibu Lions, receives the money only if the Red Sox and Matsuzaka strike a deal.

"I think it's going to take a cooperative effort from three parties to get something done on this," Boras said.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press