Red Sox Notebook: Dombrowski insists Bradley not being shopped; Wright waits; and price of leadership

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Multiple reports surfaced Monday that had the Red Sox willing to move center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. in a deal that would help them land a power bat.

Dave Dombrowski, the Red Sox president of baseball operations, dismissed those reports, labeling them false.

“I don’t know where those rumors started, but they’re not accurate,’’ Dombrowski said. “We have interest in our players and people have asked about our players often. But I’d say we’re very happy with our outfield.  Could we ever do anything? I can’t say we wouldn’t do anything with any of our players. But we like our outfield.’’

In all likelihood, this is a matter of semantics. While Dombrowski may technically be correct in saying the Red Sox are not offering Bradley in trade talks unprompted, the Sox could well be letting teams know that he’s available for the right price.

There have been some scenarios mentioned in which the Sox would deal Bradley elsewhere, shift Andrew Benintendi from left to center and put a power bat in Benintendi’s current position in left.  In fact, the Sox could do that by signing J.D. Martinez, putting him in left and shifted Benintendi to center.

Meanwhile, that would allow the Sox to bring aboard a second bat – either at first base or DH – and pair him with Hanley Ramirez.

But Dombrowski shot down that, too, laughing.

“I’ve read that, but I don’t know where we’d play those two bats,’’ said Dombrowski. “I’m trying to figure that one out. But I would say that we’ve been more limited to one bat. I guess, if we went with a platoon-type bat. But I don’t really know where that second bat would play.’’

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Red Sox starter Steven Wright, arrested Friday in his Nashville area home on a domestic assault charge, now finds his fate in the hands of Major League Baseball and commissioner Rob Manfred.

Wright was arrested Friday night after a disturbance involving his wife, Shannon. He was released on Saturday, and through a lawyer, maintained that the incident was never physical.

“It’s a Major League Baseball decision,’’ said Dombrowski, who said an investigation of the case is currently underway.

“I’ve not been given a timetable (for its conclusion),’’ Dombrowski said. “It just happened. But they start investigations very quickly and the Players Association gets involved in that, too.’’

If Wright is suspended at all, that will mean two potential starters in the rotation –  Wright and lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, who underwent knee surgery after the Red Sox were eliminated from the post-season and isn’t expected to be ready until later in April  -- will not be ready for Opening Day.

But Dombrowski said the potential loss of Wright for a period of a few weeks “doesn’t change anything we’re trying to do this week.’’

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Dombrowski was asked how much he valued leadership as a quality when he sifts through the options the Sox have for a power bat. First baseman Eric Hosmer is recognized as one of the game’s best leaders and might be a welcome addition to a clubhouse that was beset by some pettiness and division last year.

“We think makeup and leadership are all very important on a club, sure,’’ said Dombrowski. “But you end up paying for that, because it’s part of the equation. But sure, it’s important for us.’’

But Dombrowski said he didn’t necessarily identify that as a weakness or particular need for the current Sox team.