Sox may pitch their attention at Drew

Roger Clemens, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and J.D. Drew -- all three are at least currently linked to the Red Sox, though none could end up in Boston.

One major league source indicated last night that the prevailing talk in the international market is that two teams are believed to have exceeded $20 million in their posting fee to the Seibu Lions for the right to negotiate with righthander Matsuzaka, but it was not known if the Sox were one of them. The Lions have received all bids and the team's board of directors was expected to meet either late last night or today to decide whether to accept the highest.

The Yankees, Mets, Sox, Rangers, and Cubs are considered the bidders. The Rangers' Tom Hicks is the only owner who has admitted his team is bidding on the Japanese star.

The Yankees have been considered the front-runner.

If Matsuzaka can't help the Sox pitching staff, perhaps Clemens can. Clemens's agent, Randy Hendricks, indicated last night that, "We have touched base [with Boston]. I am sure we will be talking. We've talked to several teams, but Roger has yet to decide what he will do next year."

The Sox also are looking for a right fielder with the likelihood they will not re-sign Trot Nixon, and Drew, who opted out of the final three years of his contract with the Dodgers yesterday, is expected to be a target.

At the trade deadline in July, the Sox showed interest in Drew, who hit .283 with 20 homers and 100 RBIs, while posting a .393 on-base percentage. Drew, who turns 31 Nov. 20, elected for free agency instead of finishing out a five-year, $55 million contract with the Dodgers, including a guaranteed $33 million over the next three years.

In other Sox news, reliever Keith Foulke has until today to accept or reject an option to stay with Boston next season for $5.25 million.