BOSTON -- According to industry sources throughout baseball, the Red Sox are nearing completion of a multi-year deal for free-agent outfielder J.D. Drew.

Drew stands ready to sign a four-year contract, with the two sides still at work on a fifth year that would offer the Red Sox some protection with the injury-prone Drew.

It's unknown whether the fifth year will be in the form of a vesting option -- under which Drew could guarantee the final year by reaching minimum numbers of games played and at-bats recorded -- or a straight team option.

It's expected that the contract will pay Drew approximately $14 millino to $15 million per season, which could bring the total value of the deal to as much as $75 million.

The completion of the deal will not take place until at least the weekend, by which time the Dec. 1 deadline for teams to offer their own free agents salary arbitration will have passed. But a source with knowledge of Drew's contract said last night that the Dodgers are prohibited from offering Drew arbitration.

As a technicality, Drew and the Sox must wait until after the Dec. 1 deadline, but the protective language negotiated by Drew's agent, Scott Boras, with the Dodgers two years ago insures that Boston will not have to forfeit draft picks as compensation to Los Angeles for signing Drew.

The signing of Drew would give the Red Sox a productive No. 5 hitter to offer protection for David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. The Sox continue to take feelers on Ramirez, and one baseball executive last night indicated there are more interested teams for Ramirez than have been publicly acknowledged.

Interest in Ramirez is split between National and American League teams, but reports of the team inching closer to a deal to move the superstar slugger appear to be premature.

smcadam@projo.com / (401) 277-7340