The Boston Red Sox had a “relatively quiet day” Tuesday at the Major League Baseball winter meetings, according to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. It’s a stark contrast from Monday, when the Red Sox kicked off the annual event by completing a four-player trade with the Seattle Mariners.
The Red Sox likely will be mentioned in some rumblings throughout the rest of this week in Nashville, Tenn., but all indications are that Boston has done its heavy lifting. The Sox already addressed their biggest areas of need, so one shouldn’t expect anything too crazy, though you really never know.
Dombrowski and manager John Farrell both met with reporters Tuesday night in Nashville. Let’s go over some notes from their availability.
— The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier reported Tuesday that the Red Sox backed away from trade discussions with the Cincinnati Reds about Aroldis Chapman in November after discovering the All-Star closer had allegedly been involved in a domestic dispute.
It’s interesting given that the domestic violence allegations didn’t surface until Monday night at the winter meetings, throwing a wrench into a reported deal between the Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Nevertheless, it’s not an issue the Red Sox would like to discuss. They’ve since acquired Craig Kimbrel from the San Diego Padres to be their closer in 2016.
Asked about the report that the Red Sox were aware about Aroldis Chapman incident, Dombrowski said he wouldn't discuss it.
— Jason Mastrodonato (@JMastrodonato) December 8, 2015
— The Red Sox traded from their starting pitching surplus Monday in the deal that sent Miley to Seattle and brought Smith to Boston. It could spell the end of Boston’s rotation maneuvering, but the Red Sox still have a few starters (Henry Owens, Steven Wright, Roenis Elias) outside of the starting five (David Price, Clay Buchholz, Eduardo Rodriguez, Rick Porcello, Joe Kelly) who could interest other teams.
The Sox just aren’t in any rush to move them.
Dave Dombrowski says mostly quiet on Red Sox front. Teams continue to reach out about SP depth, "but we don't feel driven to move it."
— Jason Mastrodonato (@JMastrodonato) December 8, 2015
— Expect to hear the Red Sox mentioned in connection with Shelby Miller and Jose Fernandez for as long as the pitchers are available on the trade market, even if it’s purely speculation. It comes with the territory of being a big market team with a loaded farm system.
Take such rumors with a grain of salt, though. The price for either pitcher figures to be high — understandably so — and the Red Sox seemingly like their current situation.
When Sox explored trade market for SPs at start of winter, “all would have involved people off our major-league club,” Dombrowski said.
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) December 8, 2015
Dombrowski feels good about his rotation, citing deep bullpen and organizational SP depth to compensate for, say, Buchholz’s lack of IP.
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) December 8, 2015
#RedSox aren't actively seeking to trade for another starter at this point
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) December 8, 2015
— Buchholz is somewhat of a wild card each year based on his injury history. The 31-year-old never has made 30 starts or topped 190 innings in a single season.
Yet the Red Sox are expecting big things from Buchholz, who’s a very good pitcher when healthy. Farrell doesn’t think 200 innings is out of the question for 2016.
Here's the exact Farrell quote on Buchholz … pic.twitter.com/qMjFqzFZR7
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) December 9, 2015
Farrell also pointed to Price and Porcello as candidates for 200 innings, which is much more reasonable given their respective track records.
— Rodriguez seems capable of taking the next step in 2016. It’ll be interesting to see how the Red Sox approach the 22-year-old’s workload.
Asked about an innings limit on Rodriguez. Dombrowski said they haven't talked about it yet. https://t.co/HsRJ9OiyRx
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) December 8, 2015
— Boston’s first base situation could be a fun spring training storyline, don’t you think?
Dombrowski talked about Shaw as a “really good complement” to Ramirez. Doesn’t feel the need to add another 1B option.
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) December 8, 2015
— To end on a positive note, let’s give it up for Farrell. The guy is a warrior and it’s great to see him doing so well.
John Farrell just spent 25 minutes in front of the lights answering questions. Mind is clearly sharp. In great health. He's back, folks.
— Jason Mastrodonato (@JMastrodonato) December 8, 2015
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
