Outfielder

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- It's hard to remember a significant player who was trashed by Boston fans and media long before he arrived or swung a bat in anger. But outfielder J.D. Drew, who became a member of the Red Sox yesterday (pending a physical) after agreeing to a five-year, $70 million deal, will arrive with some segments of Red Sox Nation looking at him cross-eyed. The reaction to Drew has been strange and unfair, to say the least. What is it about him? Was it Tony La Russa's evaluation of Drew, pegging him an underachiever in his Cardinal years?

BALTIMORE -- Kevin Youkilis was back in the lineup Tuesday for the first time since April 28, having been activated off the disabled list. He missed 22 games with a strained lower back. But instead of third base, Youkilis started at first and was 1 for 3 with a home run and two strikeouts in a 4-1 loss against the Orioles. Hard-hitting rookie Will Middlebrooks stayed at third and Adrian Gonzalez moved to right field. With Cody Ross out, Gonzalez volunteered to play right.

The Red Sox are closing in on a deal for Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd, according to a major league source, who said the deal was not yet done. Byrd is playing center field for the Cubs and had gotten off to a slow start, 3-for-43 (.070). The Red Sox were exploring all outfield options after Jason Repko was injured Friday. The Red Sox don't appear to believe they have options available at Pawtucket. The Sox are currently playing with a few fourth and fifth outfielder types with injuries to Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford.

BALTIMORE - You're not supposed to cry over injuries. But cry, Boston, cry. Once Cody Ross officially goes on the disabled list Tuesday with a fractured left foot, there will be six Red Sox outfielders on the shelf. There seems no end in sight to this rash of injuries. Sox players have spent 438 games on the disabled list, the most in baseball. Carl Crawford (wrist, elbow), Jacoby Ellsbury (shoulder), Darnell McDonald (oblique), Jason Repko (shoulder), Ryan Kalish (shoulder)

There is still contract language to be worked out, and some question about whether the fifth year of the deal is guaranteed. But the Red Sox are nearing the completion of a deal with J.D. Drew that would pay the free agent outfielder $14 million a year for a total package of around $70 million if he stays with Boston for a full five seasons. The deal, which also would depend on Drew passing a physical, is not likely to be finished before teams begin to gather in Orlando, Fla. Sunday for the winter meetings, according to sources close to the negotiations.

Manny Ramirez is expected to join Oakland at its spring training facility on Friday, yet another part of the Athletics' offseason overhaul. After trading All-Star pitchers Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez for prospects, the A's signed veteran pitcher Bartolo Colon, re-signed outfielder Coco Crisp, agreed to terms with Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and added Ramirez. The A's also dealt A's two-time All-Star closer Andrew Bailey and outfielder Ryan Sweeney to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Josh Reddick and two minor leaguers.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff The Red Sox are reportedly negotiating with free agent outfielder Cody Ross and could have a deal done by the end of the night. Ross, who turned 31 in December, is a right-handed hitter who has primarily been a center fielder in his career but has experience in right and left. A postseason hero for the world champion Giants in 2010, Ross hit a modest .240/.325/.405 last season with 14 homers and 52 RBIs. Ross is a career .282/.349/.563 hitter against lefties, although it is worth noting that he hit .234/.336/.362 against southpaws last season.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff The American League MVP will be announced today by the Baseball Writers' Association of American at 2 p.m. Go to BBWAA.com to get the release when the time comes. Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury is one of the leading contenders along with Justin Verlander and Jose Bautista. The last Red Sox MVP was Dustin Pedroia in 2008. The last Red Sox outfielder to win the MVP was Jim Rice in 1978 and the last Sox center fielder was Fred Lynn in 1975.

BASEBALL Lawyers for Roger Clemens argued Wednesday in US District Court in Washington that the scope of potential testimony from Clemens's former teammate Andy Pettitte would be "classic ‘guilt by association' evidence. " Pettitte is expected to testify that Clemens acknowledged using human growth hormone in 1999 or 2000 and that he tried HGH himself a few years later. Prosecutors want Pettitte to be allowed to testify that the source of his HGH was Clemens's former strength trainer, Brian McNamee, who says he injected Clemens with steroids and HGH . . . Catcher Ivan...

Third baseman Jimmy Paredes was among Houston's six roster cuts on Friday. The 23-year-old Paredes hit .286 in 46 games with the Astros last season. He came into camp with a chance to be the starting third baseman on opening day. He hit .190 in 10 exhibition games. He was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City along with outfielder Fernando Martinez and pitcher Aneury Rodriguez. Pitchers Xavier Cedeno and Jose Valdez and outfielder Brad Snyder were reassigned to the minor league camp.

Have a question? Submit your question here to be considered for the next edition of Ask Nick. By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff Our question of the week comes from Jonathan Lobel, who lives in Frydlant in the Czech Republic. Jonathan asks, "Adrian Gonzalez says he will play wherever the team needs him. Why not put him in the outfield, (Kevin) Youkilis at first base and keep Will Middlebrooks at third base? Seems like these guys are paid enough (and had been playing poorly enough)

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff KANSAS CITY —If Will Middlebrooks continues to play a pivotal role in the offense, what will the Red Sox do once Kevin Youkilis ready to return? Youkilis is eligible to return on Monday, although it is unlikely he will be activated that day. Middlebrooks was a third baseman in high school and has played only third base professionally. Could he play the outfield? "I don't know," Bobby Valentine said. "It's been tossed around in some quarters.

The Red Sox are closing in on a deal for Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd, according to a major league source, who said the deal was not yet done. Byrd is playing center field for the Cubs and had gotten off to a slow start, 3-for-43 (.070). The Red Sox were exploring all outfield options after Jason Repko was injured Friday. The Red Sox don't appear to believe they have options available at Pawtucket. The Sox are currently playing with a few fourth and fifth outfielder types with injuries to Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford.

BASEBALL Lawyers for Roger Clemens argued Wednesday in US District Court in Washington that the scope of potential testimony from Clemens's former teammate Andy Pettitte would be "classic ‘guilt by association' evidence. " Pettitte is expected to testify that Clemens acknowledged using human growth hormone in 1999 or 2000 and that he tried HGH himself a few years later. Prosecutors want Pettitte to be allowed to testify that the source of his HGH was Clemens's former strength trainer, Brian McNamee, who says he injected Clemens with steroids and HGH . . . Catcher Ivan Rodriguez plans...

By Monday, the swelling in Jacoby Ellsbury's partially dislocated right shoulder should have dissipated enough for the Red Sox to conduct a follow-up examination to determine the full extent of the damage. The results could determine how avidly the Red Sox pursue a trade. Major league sources say that general manager Ben Cherington has been investigating what outfielders are available on the market. The Cubs are willing to move Marlon Byrd and the Athletics likely would part with Coco Crisp.

Che-Hsuan Lin was preparing for his first at-bat with Triple A Pawtucket on Friday night when manager Arnie Beyeler pulled him out of the lineup. The Red Sox needed an outfielder to replace the injured Jacoby Ellsbury and the 23-year-old Lin was their choice. After a restless night filled with phone calls and text messages, Lin flew into Boston on Saturday morning and was in uniform against the Tampa Bay Rays. "It's hard to describe how I feel right now," Lin said via interpreter Mickey Jiang before the game.

The Boston Red Sox agreed to terms Wednesday with right-handed pitcher Andrew Bailey on a one-year contract worth $3.9 million. The deal avoids arbitration. Bailey, who made $465,000 last year, asked for $4.7 million; the team offered $3.35 million. Bailey was acquired from the Oakland Athletics this winter. The 27-year-old right-hander converted 24 of 26 save opportunities with a 3.24 ERA for the A's in 2011. The Red Sox shipped outfielder Josh Reddick, infield prospect Miles Head and minor league pitcher Raul Alcantara to Oakland for the All-Star closer and outfielder Ryan...

The Boston Red Sox agreed to terms Wednesday with right-handed pitcher Andrew Bailey on a one-year contract worth $3.9 million. The deal avoids arbitration. Bailey, who made $465,000 last year, asked for $4.7 million; the team offered $3.35 million. Bailey was acquired from the Oakland Athletics this winter. The 27-year-old right-hander converted 24 of 26 save opportunities with a 3.24 ERA for the A's in 2011. The Red Sox shipped outfielder Josh Reddick, infield prospect Miles Head and minor league pitcher Raul Alcantara to Oakland for the All-Star closer and outfielder Ryan...

After playing 566 minor league games at first base, Lars Anderson took the first step in what may be his reinvention when he started in left field for the first time in his career Tuesday for Pawtucket. "It's exciting," said Anderson. "I'm just glad to get the opportunity. " After the Red Sox acquired first baseman Adrian Gonzalez last season and subsequently signed him to a long-term deal, Anderson's career path to the majors was effectively blocked for seven seasons. Last July, the 24-year-old native of Oakland, Calif., appeared to be headed home as part of a trade for A's pitcher...

Third baseman Jimmy Paredes was among Houston's six roster cuts on Friday. The 23-year-old Paredes hit .286 in 46 games with the Astros last season. He came into camp with a chance to be the starting third baseman on opening day. He hit .190 in 10 exhibition games. He was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City along with outfielder Fernando Martinez and pitcher Aneury Rodriguez. Pitchers Xavier Cedeno and Jose Valdez and outfielder Brad Snyder were reassigned to the minor league camp.