Needs filled, Dombrowski staying open-minded
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After landing pitchers Carson Smith and Roenis Elias from the Mariners on Day 1 of the Winter Meetings, what else might Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, have up his sleeve?
"Well, I think we're just kind of open-minded. We'll just listen to what people have to say," Dombrowski said. "We don't really have a driving force. We've added to bullpen depth. Starting pitching is pretty well set. I guess it's really just a matter of listening to what people have to say at this time."
• Red Sox acquire Smith, Elias from Mariners for Miley
Would Dombrowski be comfortable if his current roster is the one that takes the field on Opening Day in Cleveland?
"Yes," he said. "You can [always] be better. Would I feel comfortable? Yes."
Thus far this offseason, the Red Sox have acquired closer Craig Kimbrel, lefty ace David Price, power-hitting outfielder Chris Young and, now, Smith and Elias.
"We don't have a driving force to say we're going to try to accomplish this [or that]," said Dombrowski. "The young positional players we like. We want them to grow. We've supplemented them. We like our bench the way it is right now. I don't really have a specific need right now other than to say we'll pursue anybody we can to get better."
After moving Wade Miley to the Mariners in Monday's deal, the rotation projects to be Price, Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez and Joe Kelly. Lefties Henry Owens, Elias and knuckleballer Steven Wright provide additional depth.
Though there was some buzz that teams had inquired about Kelly, the Red Sox are likely to keep him after dealing Miley.
"[Kelly] showed us he could start over the time period, the way he pitched at the end of last year while he was still pitching," Dombrowski said. "He pitched very well, extremely well at that point. We liked his stuff. We have some protection behind him. So, yeah, we're looking at Kelly in a starter's role."