FORT MYERS, Fla. -- There is a bounce these days to Matt Clement, the free agent acquisition of the Red Sox. He doesn't look like an outsider trying to discover new-found success with his new team. Instead, Clement looks like a man who knows he's about to take his game to the next level.

There is a confident and eager look to Clement as he goes from side sessions to talks with new teammates to exhibition game outings.

Look at the situation, and it makes perfect sense. At 30 years old, Clement's nasty slider, lively fastball and hard sinker have finally found the perfect home.

And not just catcher Jason Varitek's glove. There is also Varitek's mind, which is filled with knowledge of how to get American League hitters out.

Then there is Curt Schilling, an ace who loves to talk pitching and has already expressed an interest in Clement.

"I think that this is the year that Matt Clement becomes the 18- or 20-game winner he's always had the ability to be," Schilling said.

Not to be overlooked is the loaded Boston offense. Clement will no longer have to worry about run support with Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz leading an offense that figures to be among the most productive in the game.

The defending World Series champions are probably the best team Clement has ever played for -- at least on paper. That, in turn, should raise the level of Clement's performance.

"I'm confident that this is the right situation for me," said Clement. "I'm confident in the team that's going to be behind me and the catcher I'm going to have behind the plate, the other pitchers I'm going to have with me."

Clement, who pitched previously with the Padres, Marlins and Cubs, feels as if he's entered baseball's version of paradise.

He's never won more than 14 games in a season. Clement's career record is a wholly unspectacular 69-75. When you watch the movement on Clement's pitches, that record simply doesn't add up.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona sees those statistics changing dramatically for Clement in his new home.

"He's been nothing but impressive this camp," said Francona. "I think he's positioned to do well this year, regardless of what his record is. Last year, he had pretty good numbers besides his record. If you look at his ERA, his strikeouts, besides the walks, [the numbers] didn't equate to his record. We're hoping that with our lineup, that will turn around."

Clement went 9-13 for the Cubs last year, posting a 3.68 ERA and notching 190 strikeouts over 181 innings.

Spotlight on the Red Sox An up-close look at the club as we approach Opening Day • Singer: Sox have toughest act to follow • The heat is on: David Wells • Breakout player: Matt Clement • Top prospect: Hanley Ramirez • Red Sox organization report • Red Sox Spring Training preview • Red Sox Spring Training quick hits • Video preview MLB.com spotlights the team directly from Fort Myers: 56K | 350K

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Instead of citing lack of breaks or run support in the past, the focused Clement has a structured plan in place to make himself a better pitcher. He is looking for things to improve on -- namely his control -- and is attacking those weaknesses with everything he does this spring.

In the past, Clement has been infamous for his walks. He issued 125 free passes in 2000. The last four years, Clement has walked 77 or more batters.

"I'm not obsessed with my walks," said Clement. "In the past, when I was young, people were obsessed with it. When you go out there thinking about not walking people, it's going to happen. For me, it's just being able to consistently repeat my delivery and arm slot and being able to attack the strike zone. At the same time I have to realize that I do have a lot of movement on my ball. It's not always going to be as pinpoint as I might hope or want it to be. But I know if I can keep improving, the better I get with that, it's going to make me a much better pitcher."

Sox left-hander David Wells can vouch for that. The "Boomer" has been one of the game's premier control artists over the last few years. He is yet another resource for Clement.

"With Matt, he's no slouch. He knows how to pitch," Wells said. "I think we can work with him a little bit, cut down his walks. We do that, he's going to be unbelievable. He's got the arm for it."

Clement has switched teams before, but the circumstances were never as right as they seem to be this time.

"When you have a group of guys like this, it seems easier to fit in," Clement said. "They are accepting of you and I don't feel like I have to go out and prove that I belong here. I think they know what I can do. I'm a little bit older than the first two times I switched teams. Maybe in the past I tried to show everyone what I could do right away, which kind of counteracted what I wanted to do."

Now what he wants to do is win, and reward the confidence the Red Sox displayed in him by signing him for three years at $25.5 million.

"I'm definitely challenged, honored that they put the trust in me and expect that of me," Clement said. "It's great to come to a team that's accomplished so much and to be someone that's going to be counted on. As an athlete, you relish that kind of opportunity."