Red Sox Notebook: Dombrowski remains patient as slow off-season unfolds; Cora gets to know his players and more

No, Dave Dombrowski doesn’t know definitively why the free agent market has been so slow this winter. No, he has no idea when or even if that will change.

But yes, he remains engaged with a number of free agent targets.

“I’ve speculated on (the slow pace) numerous times,’’ said Dombrowski prior to the annual Boston Baseball Writers Association awards dinner Thursday at the Copley Marriott. “I don’t know if I’m right or if I’m wrong. I ask myself that same question all the time around the office. I get a sense that some smaller things (around the game) are starting to take place, but I don’t really know the answer.

“It’s very unusual. It’s just such a change from the past. In the past, you might have had one (big) guy out there at this time of year trying to find a job. This year, there’s numerous (more than 120 free agents remain unsigned) ones. I’m not sure (why).’’

Dombrowski said he couldn’t say he is “confident’’ the Red Sox could add another major piece to the roster before spring, but added: “We’ll keep working at it. We won 93 games with basically the team we have here, and some guys coming back healthy. And I think some guys will have stronger years. I’ve learned that the predictive nature of the game is not something I partake in much. I’ve been with clubs that have been (heavy) favorites and haven’t done quite as well and I’ve been with teams that weren’t the favorites and done quite well. You let those things take care of themselves.

“In our situation, we’ll keep working at it. But I do think we have a good club, no matter what.’’

Asked if the Sox currently have offers on the table for free agents, Dombrowski hedged a bit.

“People know that we’re interested in signing them to offers, yup,’’ he said.

The glut of free agents unsigned at this late date could potentially lead to some bargains being available, given the law of supply-and-demand.

“They could,’’ agreed Dombrowski. “If you look at the studies, there have been a lot of bargains (in the past) that have been later in January and into February. However, one difference this year is the number of quality players (still unsigned) – that doesn’t happen too often. So I don’t know if 125 guys are all going to find jobs.  Sometimes, that would lead to bargains. But I think would think there would still be some substantial contracts signed.’’

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New manager Alex Cora has spent the better part of the last month visiting with players on the roster, traveling to Boston, the Dominican, Fort Myers, Miami and other locales.

“It’s been fun,’’ said Cora, “getting to know them and talking to them and learning what we can do better. One
thing I’ve been telling them is, this is a good team. We have a lot of talent, we’re very athletic. We’re going to help put them in situations where they’re going to be successful. That’s the plan.  It’s important (to meet). I think they were eager to talk to me. It was cool to talk to them and see how they feel about our situation.’’

Cora said he doesn’t intend to have a lot of rules, beyond the basics: play hard and be on-time.

“Not really,’’ he said. “I played for a lot of managers who were very successful by keeping it simple. Guys should police themselves in the clubhouse. There should be some accountability.’’
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Dombrowski seemed to indicate that while the Red Sox are open to obtaining a lefty reliever, the team seems more likely to turn to some in-house candidate for that role, including Robby Scott and a number of lefties in the system who have previously served as starters, including Brian Johnson, Roenis Elias and Jalen Beeks. ... Dombrowski didn’t seem bothered by the probability of going to salary arbitration with Mookie Betts. “You would rather settle the deals yourself,’’ he said. “But I’ve been to arbitration before. Those things happen. It doesn’t overly faze me. I’d prefer it to go the other way, but it’s part of the game.’’ …Dustin Pedroia was cleared by the surgeon Thursday who performed the procedure on his knee last fall and was given clearance to begin running. Pedroia told WEEI last week that he’s preparing to be available for Opening Day. “I can’t say that he wouldn’t be ready,’’ said Dombrowski. “But we’re not pushing him for that. I think it’s more important that he follows the step-by-step. But he’s made very positive strides.’’ … Both Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright, each recovering from knee procedures, are currently in Fort Myers and throwing. Dombrowski said Wright is slightly ahead of Rodriguez and could be available by Opening Day. ... One complication for Wright is the possibility that he faces disciplinary action from MLB after being charged in a domestic assault last month in Tennessee. The case was later dismissed, but MLB can still take action. “They do not have a timetable and they continue to gather facts,’’ said Dombrowski of the commissioner’s office staff. ... Andrew Benintendi cut his hair over the winter in order to clean up for a few weddings he attended. Benintendi is "kind of going through that process right now" when it comes to hiring a new agent. The agent who represented Benintendi was suspended by the MLBPA earlier this month after allegations that he taped some of his clients showering.
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Jackie Bradley Jr. said he’s been told by Cora that he’ll be given the green light more on the bases, which he favors. “I’ve always wanted to run more,’’ Bradley said. “I’m glad he’s going to give me that opportunity more often.

Bradley also heard that he’s been associated with some trade talk, including a report earlier this month that the Sox turned down a proposal from the Dodgers that would have sent Bradley to L.A. in exchange for Yasiel Puig. “You definitely have family members constantly asking you about it,’’ he said. “But what will be, will be. That’s always been my mindset. It’s something I can’t really control. So I’m just not going to worry about it. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t and I’m perfectly fine (being here).’’
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Christian Vazquez is thrilled that the team’s former bullpen coach Dana LeVangie was promoted to pitching coach. The two worked together a lot in recent seasons since LeVangie also doubled as the team’s catching instructor.

“I’m very excited for him,’’ said Vazquez. “He helped a lot of guys – me and Sandy (Leon).’’

Vazquez said he hasn’t been told by Cora whether he’ll be the team’s No. 1 catcher.

“I don’t know about that yet,’’ he said. “But I hope I play 160 (games).’’