DREW

FORT MYERS, Fla. — J.D. Drew’s signing was not universally hailed in Boston.

The outfielder opted out of the final three years of a five-year, $55-million deal with the Dodgers to test the free-agent waters, winding up with a five-year, $70-million deal with the Red Sox, who, to a large degree, were bidding against themselves for the services of Drew, considered an underachiever by many baseball people.

Only three years ($42 million) is guaranteed because of contract language that lets the Sox off the hook if right-shoulder troubles (Drew had surgery in September 2005) force him to the disabled list for specified lengths of time.

His personality is 180 degrees from that of Trot Nixon, the popular, fiery right fielder Drew is replacing. And Drew has been on the disabled list seven times in the last eight years.

Drew knows that there is the perception that he doesn’t seem to care and that he’s not a “blood-and-guts” guy.

“From college I have played on an even keel, focused on playing the game right,” said Drew, who had a strong September last season, finishing the year with 20 homers and 100 RBI. “I get frustrated by comments [criticizing his flatline-style of play]. Sometimes I’m perceived the wrong way. But I can only control what I do on the field on a daily basis.”

Getting in shape

David Ortiz, a monster at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, participated in the agility and conditioning drills with the rest of the position players yesterday in preparation for today’s first full-squad workout at the organization’s minor-league complex.

It looked more like the NFL combine with the various drills, including side-to-side shuttle runs and the tossing of medicine balls.

The first of the four drills that Ortiz suffered through was a 50-yard series of sprints, almost like basketball sprints from endline to foul line and back, halfcourt and back, other foul line and back and all the way to the other endline.

In this case, baseballs were placed at three cones at various distances.

Ortiz did not make the “suggested” finish time of one minute on the second of his two rounds.

After catching his breath, he looked around at the drills and bellowed good-naturedly, “Are we going to the Olympics this year?”

skrasner@projo.com