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Boras confirms deal

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Outfielder J.D. Drew has agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract with the Red Sox, according to Drew's agent, Scott Boras. The deal will be completed after Drew takes a physical.

Drew, who turned 31 Nov. 20, hit .283 with 20 homers and 100 RBIs last season while posting a .393 on-base percentage. He 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.

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," Boras told the Associated Press. "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."

The Globe's Gordon Edes and the Associated Press contributed to this report.