J.D. Drew Likes Red Sox’ Outfield Alignment This Season

The Red Sox' outfield has changed dramatically in the offseason, but one thing that has remained the same is Boston’s right fielder. J.D. Drew enters his fourth season as the the team's starting right fielder, and he likes the new arrangement, the Boston Herald reports.

Drew has been a consistent defender with the Red Sox, committing only 12 errors in three seasons with Boston and displaying the ability to make difficult plays look routine.

"My thing defensively is I'm not a flashy guy, but I think I get great jumps on the ball and I run deceivingly," Drew told the Herald. "I'm not a guy who looks like I'm running fast. And people criticize me, 'Oh, he's not hustling.'"

The Red Sox signed Mike Cameron to a two-year, $15.5 million deal last December to replace Jason Bay's bat in the lineup. However, given Cameron's reputation as a three-time Gold Glove center fielder, the veteran outfielder will play center while Jacoby Ellsbury moves to left field. 

Drew looks forward to working alongside Cameron in 2010.

"There will be a little learning curve when we start playing these games," Drew said. "But we are both old men out there when it comes to playing the outfield, and we’ve got a good understanding of being careful in the criss-cross zone."

Ellsbury has not won a Gold Glove like Cameron, but Drew believes he'll give the Red Sox something Manny Ramirez could never provide: a defensive presence in left field.

"Manny was one of those guys that used to stand right behind shortstop," Drew said. "Ellsbury, on the other hand, he may be able to stand behind the shortstop but be able to go back and catch that ball."

With Drew, Cameron and Ellsbury, the Red Sox have a strong outfield defense that should help Boston pitchers and improve run prevention this season.