The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS - Needing run production and a right fielder, the Atlanta Braves were willing to part with pitching and take a chance on J.D. Drew.

The Braves acquired the oft-injured outfielder from the St. Louis Cardinals along with Eli Marrero for former first-round draft picks Jason Marquis and Adam Wainright, and reliever Ray King.

"Adam is our No. 1 pitching prospect and that was tough to do, but under the circumstances we had no choice," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said.

Drew replaces Gary Sheffield, who became a free agent and for weeks has been close to agreement with the New York Yankees.

Drew, 28, hit .289 last season with 15 homers and 42 RBI in just 100 games.

Marquis, a 25-year-old right-hander, was 0-0 with a 5.53 ERA in two starts and 19 relief appearances last season.

Wainwright, a 22-year-old righty, was 10-8 with a 3.37 ERA in 27 starts for Double-A Greenville.

King, a 29-year-old left-hander, was 3-4 with a 3.51 ERA in 80 relief appearances last season.

RED SOX: Free-agent closer Keith Foulke reached agreement with the Boston Red Sox on a deal that guarantees him $24 million, choosing to join the escalating arms race in the AL East rather than re-sign with Oakland.

Foulke, who led the AL with 43 saves this year, joins starter Curt Schilling as top pitchers acquired by the Red Sox this offseason.

METS: Free agent Mike Cameron and the Mets reached an agreement on a three-year deal for $19.5 million, ending the team's search for a center fielder with outstanding defensive skills.

Cameron, 30, hit .253 with 18 home runs with 76 RBI and 17 stolen bases for Seattle last season.

MARLINS: The World Series champion Florida Marlins traded outfielder Juan Encarnacion to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player to be named.

ORTIZ HONORED: David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox was honored as the top designated hitter in baseball last season.

Ortiz batted .310 with 27 homers and 73 RBI as a DH last season, part of a season in which his .288 average, 31 homers and 101 RBI placed him fifth in the AL MVP voting. His .700 slugging percentage was tops among all DHs with 100 or more at-bats.