Dave Dombrowski was given a chance to take over after the season. But Dombrowski, 59, the new president of baseball operations for the Boston Red Sox, wanted to begin work right away.
Of course, he’s got a lot to do.
Here’s a peek at Dombrowski’s to-do list:
• Pull out an ace. In his news conference Wednesday, Dombrowski pointed out the need to improve Boston’s pitching, adding, “Ideally you want a top-of-the-rotation guy.”
From Pedro Martinez to Curt Schilling to Josh Beckett to Jon Lester, the Red Sox have had that guy until this season.
If owner John Henry is serious about letting Dombrowski take control, Henry must do what he would not with Ben Cherington – give the go-ahead to over-pay for a prime-time starter.
Two obvious names come to mind, with David Price and Johnny Cueto hitting the free-agent market. Both will be 30 at the start of next season. Dombrowski knows all about Price, having traded for him last summer while working in Detroit, then dealing him last month. He got to watch Cueto pitch Friday night at Fenway Park.
One cheaper option for Dombrowski is to gamble on Eduardo Rodriguez’s development. Rodriguez, 22, has “the chance to be a No. 1 guy,” Dombrowski said Wednesday. In 2006, Dombrowski relied on a 23-year-old rookie named Justin Verlander to lead his staff.
Dombrowski still needs to bring in at least one reliable starter. An intriguing option is Mark Buehrle of Toronto, a free agent who will be 37 next season. He may not be the power-armed ace Dombrowski likes, but he would bring experience and stability to a rotation that needs both.
• Clean out the bullpen. While Dombrowski is known for putting together solid rotations, his history with relievers isn’t as hot. Just look at 2013 when the Red Sox beat Detroit and its superior rotation in the AL Championship Series. The Tigers’ starters had a 2.06 ERA in the series. The bullpen’s ERA was 4.96.
We’ve suggested bullpen improvements previously: After Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa, it needs an overhaul. Maybe a starter or two (Joe Kelly and Matt Barnes) have to go full time to relief work. Trades can be made and free agents signed – Darren O’Day (Orioles), Franklin Morales (Royals), Ryan Webb (Indians), Tyler Clippard (Mets) and Shawn Kelly (Padres) should be on Dombrowski’s list.
• Make a decision on Hanley Ramirez, who turns 32 in the offseason. Ramirez has three years and $66 million left on his contract. And while he is second on the team in home runs (19), his fielding in left field is the worst in the majors. (He is actually the worst fielder at any position, according to fangraphs.com.)
Dombrowski has at least four options. One is to keep Ramirez in left and hope he improves (highly unlikely).
Next is to put him at first base. But how many grounders will get by Ramirez, and what will he do to the infield dynamics if he’s unable to adequately scoop balls? Rank this one between possible and unlikely.
Ramirez could become an expensive part-time player, at first and as designated hitter. He could be insurance in case 40-year-old David Ortiz is injured. Doubtful.
Or Dombrowski could trade Ramirez, likely to an American League team looking for a DH (Mariners? Astros?). Dombrowski would probably have to eat a lot of Ramirez’s salary. He’s done it before, when he traded Prince Fielder to Texas and sent $30 million to the Rangers. This is definitely possible.
• Make a decision on Pablo Sandoval. The other high-priced free agent that isn’t producing, Sandoval has four years and at least $75 million left on his contract. Sandoval, 29, is also one of the worst fielders in the major leagues this year while also compiling a .698 OPS – 100 points below his career average.
The best option might be keeping Sandoval at third base. No doubt, Sandoval could lose some weight. The “I’ve always been this way” argument is no longer valid as he gets older and his production is obviously impacted.
• First base. Assuming Ramirez is not a full-time answer here, Dombrowski has a vacancy to fill. Travis Shaw (1.118 OPS) is on a tear, but Dombrowski is not likely to simply hand the job to a rookie.
There could be a committee handling this, including utility player Brock Holt. Maybe give Blake Swihart a chance at times, to keep his bat in the lineup.
• Prioritize the young players. Shaw could become Boston’s first baseman – unless Dombrowski trades him. It’s possible since Shaw’s value may never be higher.
Dombrowski does have a history of trading his young players, but there are exceptions (Verlander, for example). Dombrowski has already praised Rodriguez, as well as the speedy outfield of Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rusney Castillo.
Swihart keeps looking like a major leaguer. But Christian Vazquez is expected back from Tommy John surgery. Would Dombrowski gamble and trade one, or would he wait until Vazquez is healthy, then assess Boston’s catching (and yes, the Red Sox could keep both).
In the minors there may be only four untouchable prospects and three are in low Class A Greenville – second baseman Yoan Moncada (the Red Sox have invested $63 million in him), third baseman Rafael Devers (possibly Boston’s best prospect) and outfielder Andrew Benintendi (the 2015 first-round pick who has nine homers in 38 games). Pitcher Anderson Espinoza, 17, is dazzling in the Gulf Coast League (0.88 ERA).
• Sort out the trade chips. Dombrowski will begin dealing soon after the season if he follows his usual modus operandi. He has prospects to trade.
One of the best trade chips may be Sea Dogs center fielder Manuel Margot. He is considered a five-tool talent but the Red Sox have plenty of young outfielders.
Trading lefty Henry Owens or lefty Brian Johnson may seem difficult, but are they similar enough that one could go?
Greenville shortstop Javier Guerra and Sea Dogs first baseman Sam Travis also could be used in a Dombrowski deal.
Shortstop Deven Marrero and third baseman/left fielder Garin Cecchini are both struggling in Pawtucket. Maybe the Sox hold on to them and hope to improve their numbers (and their trade value).
• Keep John Farrell. The fact that Farrell began cancer treatment last week makes this a moot point. Dombrowski is not going to replace Farrell for the time being without appearing heartless. Farrell is expected back and should be given a shot.
• Hire a general manager. Much has been made about this, but is it that big a deal? In situations where there is a powerful president of baseball operations (Andrew Friedman with the Dodgers, Theo Epstein with the Cubs), the GM is simply his assistant.
Most of the speculation has been about candidates outside the organization, but why not promote assistant GM Mike Hazen, who knows the Red Sox personnel as well as anyone?
• Visit Portland. It’s been a while since Dombrowski was the Marlins’ general manager and visited Hadlock Field when the Sea Dogs were a Marlins affiliate. Hadlock has changed plenty since then. Stop on by while the weather is lovely.
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