FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – The Boston Red Sox decided to go on a spending spree when their 2006 season went into free fall.

Principal owner John Henry thinks an investment of more than $200 million in three players may produce the best team in franchise history.

“The 2003 club, some people say, was the best we’ve ever had, but we won (the World Series) in 2004,” he said Tuesday, his first day at spring training. “This certainly has to be one of the best Red Sox teams ever, if not the best, going in.”

And maybe the most expensive. The Red Sox spent $103.11 million to get pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka – $51.11 million for the right to negotiate with him and $52 million on a six-year contract. They also signed shortstop Julio Lugo to a $36 million, four-year deal, and rightfielder J.D. Drew to a $70 million, five-year deal.

The team’s payroll for its 40-man roster, using regular accounting methods, dropped from $141.9 million in 2005 to $137.5 million last season. Only the New York Yankees, at $207.5 million, were higher in 2006.

At the end of last July, the Red Sox led the AL East by 1 game. At the end of August, they trailed by 8. They finished in third place, the first time in nine years Boston didn’t end up second behind New York.

That prompted Henry, entering his sixth season as owner, to spend more.

“Since we’ve been here, every game ’til the end of the season has been an important game,” he said. “We suffered through a September last year, certainly the second half of September, in which (games) were essentially meaningless.

“So, by mid-September, I think before mid-September,” he continued, “we were determined to improve the team and do what we thought it would take during the offseason to ensure that this wouldn’t happen again.”

The signing of Matsuzaka, and the potential revenue it could bring to the team through sponsorships and souvenir sales, didn’t contribute to Henry’s willingness to spend. He said “most of those revenues” go to Major League Baseball, MLB.com and MLB International.

“We’ll see some of that revenue, but very limited, not what people expected,” he said.

The Red Sox also will have to spend a lot to keep Curt Schilling after the coming season. He changed his mind about retiring after it and said he would play for the same $13 million he’s scheduled to make this season. General manager Theo Epstein has indicated he wants Schilling to remain with the team.

“I think it’s understandable and appropriate for a player to talk to management about extending his contract,” Red Sox chairman and part owner Tom Werner said, seated beside Henry. “It’s also understandable for us to (wait) before giving him more of a yes answer.”

Matsuzaka eventually could replace Schilling as the staff ace and Henry said signing the Japanese right-hander was the team’s top priority in the offseason.

“We knew that was not going to be easy, that it was fraught with peril,” he said.

But the Red Sox outbid other teams by a considerable margin then went through difficult negotiations with agent Scott Boras.

Henry is impressed with Matsuzaka’s poise, a trait that should help in the tough AL East.

Playing in that division is “not an easy task, as you saw what Randy Johnson went through the last couple of years,” Henry said. Johnson, who didn’t fit comfortably in the Yankees clubhouse or pitch as well as he had before coming to New York, was traded recently to Arizona.

Boston also needed to improve its offense, especially with a No. 5 hitter behind David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Drew fills that role. Lugo provides offense at the top of the order that last year’s shortstop, slick-fielding Alex Gonzalez, lacked.

With their pennant hopes dashed by early September, the Red Sox started working on improving the team earlier than in other seasons.

“You end up just being determined,” Henry said. “It makes you determined that it’s not going to happen again.”

Notes:David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Drew and Alex Cora were the only players likely to make the 25-man roster who weren’t in camp for Tuesday’s workout. The first full squad workout is Thursday. … Henry showed no concern about Ramirez telling teammate Julian Tavarez he would report March 1, seven days after that workout. “I hear he’s ready to play this year. That’s what’s important,” Henry said. … Matsuzaka and the other four starters threw off a mound for the second time. He’s scheduled to throw batting practice Saturday.