Notebook: On first-day discussions with agents; Otani, Chavis getting a look at 1B and more

ORLANDO – On the first full day of the GM meetings, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was a busy man, though, this early in the week, it’s uncertain what – if anything – will come out the talks.

“I wouldn’t say anything fruitful (yet),’’ said Dombrowski. “We had meetings (Sunday) night with agents and clubs. Same thing today. It’s really more informational at this point. We’ve had some nice conversations but I would say nothing (concrete).  But also, when you get to this time of year, you never know what will take place.’’

Dombrowski met with the agents for both Carlos Santana and Logan Morrison. Both are free agents, though Santana, having been given a qualifying offer by the Cleveland Indians, comes with compensation attached.  Signing him would cost the Sox their second-round draft pick next June along with $500,000 in international bonus pool money.
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Dombrowski was not allowed to speak specifically about Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Otani, since MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball have yet to work out how the posting system would work.

But he was asked whether he thought, in theory, a player could both pitch and hit successfully at the big league level.

“Well, Babe Ruth did it, right?’’ said Dombrowski, chuckling. “He was pretty hood. I would say it’s possible. I’ve been involved with some guys on the minor league level. Most players aren’t that talented to continue to do it, but if you had someone who was talented to do it, why not? Like I said, the Babe did it.’’
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The Sox have a list of more than half-dozen free agents, including Mitch Moreland, Addison Reed, Doug Fister and Eduardo Nunez. Dombrowski was asked whether the Sox could potentially re-sign any of them.

“Perhaps, but I wouldn’t tell you which ones,’’ he said. “(But) we’re not close-minded to that. But I think the one thing that makes it more difficult is that some other organizations may see them with larger roles than we would see them and with larger roles, give them a better contract. But we haven’t closed the door on most of them, by any means.’’
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The Sox had highly-regarded prospect Michael Chavis get some playing time at first base in the Arizona Fall League, to see if he could be a depth option at the position for 2018.

“He played it very minimally, so he didn’t really play there a lot,’’ reported Dombrowski. “But the little bit that he did play, he looked like he would be fine over there, that he would transition. He’s worked hard. He’s been in the infield before at shortstop and third base. I didn’t personally see him (play first), but the people who saw him thought he could play over there.’’

Chavis was drafted as a shortstop, but subsequently was moved to third base.

“One of things we’re going to have to look at him with him,’’continued Dombrowski, “because he’s a really good bat, and a good prospect, is: where do you play him? Where do you let him settle in? He can play some third base. We don’t really need him play in the OF at this point.

He’s not going to play shortstop; second base we have others guys. So settling him in there (at first), that might be a move that we make. But we haven’t come to that definite decision.
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Dombrowski pronounced himself “happy” with his current bullpen, but admitted he would like to add another lefthander.

“Robby Scott did a good job for us last year,’’ he said. “We’re also thinking about converting some of the lefties that we have that are depth (starters), like Brian Johnson and Roenis Elias, to see how they do in those types of roles.  So we have some guys who potentially have that ability. But I’d say that’s one area we’re open-minded to improving ourselves.’’
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Tyler Thornburg, obtained last year in a deal that saw the Sox ship Travis Shaw to Milwaukee, is on-schedule after recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last spring.

“He’s doing fine,’’ said Dombrowski. “He’s been throwing. He’s in a position where the doctor feels he should be. He needs to strengthen his shoulder, but that’s normal. The anticipation is he should be ready to go for spring training, but as we know, thoracic outlet syndrome is major surgery (and you never know).

There have been no setbacks. Everything’s been positive. We’re hoping he’s ready. I don’t know if you can 100 percent say he’ll be in the bullpen come Opening Day, -- not because someone has said he can’t be, but just because of the type of surgery that he had.''
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The Sox completed their major league staff Monday with the hiring of Craig Bjornson as the bullpen coach. He takes the spot vacated by Dana LeVangie, who had filled that role until being promoted last week to pitching coach.

Bjornson, 48, was part of the Astros’ organization the last six seasons, including five of those as bullpen coach. There, he worked with new Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was, of course, the Astros’ bench coach in 2017.

“We looked internally,’’ said Dombrowski.  ”We had good candidates but it was a situation where Alex knew Craig very well. Alex’s thought process there was, we have a new pitching coach, he’s new, so we want a veteran in the bullpen who’s been there a while to handle that situation.

“That was really the ultimate (reason), in addition to him having credentials and us thinking he’ll do a good job.’’

Dombrowski also confirmed that Brian Bannister will return for a second full season as assistant pitching coach, in addition to handling duties as director of pitching analysis and development.

“His role really hasn’t changed,’’ said Dombrowski. ”I would think it would be very similar to last year.’’