NEW YORK — They have the best record in Major League Baseball, the biggest lead (9½ games) of any division leader in either league and are off to the franchise’s best start in years.

The Red Sox are not, however, infallible.

There are a number of issues and areas that could use some tweaking if the Sox are to dethrone the Yankees as A.L. East champs for the first time in more than a decade, then go on to the World Series.

Here are three of them:

• J.D. DREW

Just over a quarter into his first season in Boston, Drew has been a bust. He’s hitting just .237 and he’s on a pace to finish with eight home runs.

Remarkably, his absent bat hasn’t yet hurt the Red Sox, who have gotten enough offense to support their stellar pitching. While Drew has underachieved, the Sox have gotten monster starts from Kevin Youkilis, Mike Lowell and David Ortiz.

But eventually, because of his spot in the lineup, Drew must contribute. If not, teams will pitch around Manny Ramirez, himself off to a lackluster first two months. In turn, that could affect Ortiz.

Worse, the Sox don’t have a lot of options. Thanks to the money they gave Drew — $70 million over five years — they’re committed to him in right. Not that they have other choices: neither Wily Mo Pena nor Eric Hinske can be seen as a long-term option in right and Pena has yet to demonstrate that he can hit enough to warrant his inclusion into the lineup every day.

If Drew doesn’t start producing, it may become tougher for him at Fenway. On Monday, when the Red Sox return home to begin a weeklong homestand, Trot Nixon and the Cleveland Indians visit for four games.

Nixon, whom Drew replaced both in the outfield and in the batting order, went into yesterday hitting .291 (to Drew’s .237) and had an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of .776 compared to Drew’s .679. Nixon had 10 extra-base hits to Drew’s eight in comparable at-bats (127 for Nixon, 135 for Drew).

Of course, Nixon’s salary is approximately one-fifth of Drew’s.

Always popular with Red Sox fans, Nixon will be welcomed back to Boston. Can the same be said for Drew?

• THE BULLPEN

Lefty Hideki Okajima has been a revelation for the Sox, who have made him their primary setup man and bridge to closer Jonathan Papelbon. Okajima went 20 appearances between runs, from Opening Day to Tuesday night.

But the Sox have yet to find a second, trustworthy setup option, a right-handed one, to use on nights when Okajima isn’t available.

It’s clear Joel Pineiro isn’t the answer. He’s walked more hitters (eight) than he’s struck out (six) and has allowed 32 base runners in 18 1/3 innings. He’s been used almost exclusively in games in which the Red Sox trail, a sign that the manager and pitching coach don’t have much faith in him.

Brendan Donnelly has been better, but not enough to establish himself in the role. Donnelly’s allowed 16 hits in 14 innings of work and his velocity is down sharply from his time as an elite setup man in Anaheim.

Mike Timlin, who’s set to begin a rehab stint with Pawtucket this weekend, probably isn’t the answer, either. Timlin has been injured three times since the All-Star break last summer, twice with shoulder issues. He’s been a workhorse for the Sox since 2003, but age and inning load may be catching up to him.

Unless they go outside the organization and make a deadline deal for an established reliever (Scott Linebrink?), the Sox could hope that either Manny Delcarmen or Craig Hansen fill the void. But both have a long way to go.

• CENTER FIELD

Coco Crisp has lifted his average to .240 and doesn’t seem as lost as he did in the first month. Still, even in his reduced role in the lower third of the batting order, he hasn’t contributed much offensively.

Pena, obviously, is not an option, as there no indication he could handle the job defensively or offensively on an everyday basis. As promising as he’s been, the Sox want Jacoby Ellsbury to dominate at Triple A before he’s promoted.

Could the Sox obtain someone at the deadline if Crisp doesn’t improve? This winter’s free-agent class is full of name center fielders (Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter, Ichiro Suzuki), but Jones and Hunter are on teams who expect to compete and the Mariners, no matter how far out of contention, aren’t about to deal the iconic Ichiro.

A cheaper rental — like Philadlephia’s Aaron Rowand or San Diego’s Mike Cameron — is possible, but chances are the Sox will be patient with Crisp, if for no other reason than to restore his value for an off-season deal.

smcadam@projo.com