Busy first day for Red Sox at GM Meetings
Dombrowski surprised by amount of interaction with other clubs, agents
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Expecting a quiet first day at the General Managers Meetings on Monday, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was pleasantly surprised with the amount of dialogue he had with other clubs and agents.
"We've met with a few teams. It's actually been a busier first day than normal," Dombrowski said. "Just coming in, we really even hadn't anticipated meeting with people, but people have reached out, so we've met with some agents, we've met with some clubs, and yeah, we've had some conversations."
The Red Sox are looking to add an ace to the rotation and multiple impact arms for the bullpen, and they have the type of young pieces that other teams covet in trades.
"There is a lot of interest in our young players, I'll say that unequivocally," Dombrowski said. "They must be good, because a lot of people ask about them."
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The Red Sox will have to see which way the market goes before deciding if they can get an ace via trade or free agency, but there are certainly some good ones available on the latter front.
Zack Greinke, David Price, Johnny Cueto and Jordan Zimmermann are all players Boston could be bidding on in the coming weeks.
"There are more quality guys, more premium-type guys," Dombrowski said. "But there is also a situation where there's a lot of clubs who need those types of guys, too. We're in a position where we're exploring both. That free-agency area is just starting to take place. I'm sure we'll meet with some agents while we're here. We've made some phone calls to express some interest in individuals, and that will be followed up now and heading out of here.
"Also some relievers, too. I think there are more free-agent starting pitchers than there are bullpen guys. But there's both scenarios out there, and we're open to trying to acquire them in any way we can."