Red Sox insist talk of shopping players to cut back payroll is overstated

LAS VEGAS -- The Winter Meetings being what they are, it doesn't take long for a rumor or report to circulate. And those reports are subject to interpretation.

So when two national reporters -- Bob Nightengale and Ken Rosenthal -- reported Tuesday afternoon that, according to executives with rival teams, the Red Sox were letting clubs know they were interested in moving veteran players like Rick Porcello, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. to help reduce payroll and provide some financial flexibility, the talk found its way around Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino very quickly.

But a source with knowledge of the Red Sox' thinking quickly refuted the reports, noting that the Sox would be willing to listen to offers for the players, but weren't intent on moving them.

(Bogaerts and Porcello are eligible for free agency after 2019, with Bradley free after 2020).

Dave Dombrowski, meeting with the media soon afterward, also took issue with the reports.

"I'd say we're not driven by that approach,'' said Dombrowski. "I would say that you always listen to anything. You can always get better. I know long-term we're not going to be able to sign all of our players, and that brings about conversations and people calling you about various things. But I would say, I guarantee you our primary focus is to try to win a world championship in 2019, to try to repeat.

"We're not looking to move anybody. We're not driven to anybody. But I think, again, you keep open minds about things that take place. And people come to you with different processes. That's what the (winter) meetings bring about. I'm not closing the door or anything  and saying 'We'll never do anything with our team.' But again, we like the club that we have and that's what our goal is.''

The Red Sox face the prospect of a half-dozen or so key players reaching free agency over the next two seasons, with Porcello, Bogaerts and Chris Sale eligible after the next season, and J.D. Martinez having an opt-out in his deal. The following year, both Bradley and Mookie Betts are eligible.

That, in conjunction with the team's growing payroll, has led to speculation that the Sox would be interested in cutting back spending. The team went over the third and final salary tax threshold in 2018, resulting in a drop of 10 spots with their first-round pick, in addition to the obvious tax penalties.

Already, for 2019, the Sox, when one factors in the list of upcoming salary arbitration-eligible players and the recent re-signing of free agent Nathan Eovaldi, are committed to nearly $230 million. The second luxury tax threshold for 2019 is at $226 million, and Dombrowski, when asked if he expected to be over that second level, answered in the affirmative.

Meanwhile, an industry source confirmed that ownership has not issued a mandate to get back under the luxury tax threshold for 2019.

Beyond the obvious lack of talent dealing away the likes of Porcello, Bogaerts or Bradley would represent, there are other drawbacks.

First, the Sox lack obvious replacements at short and center, two key positions for any team. It's impossible to imagine the Red Sox trading, say, Bogaerts, without an established shortstop on hand to replace him.

Secondly, the value of players nearing the end of contractual control, is at an all-time low. As an example, the Arizona Diamondbacks recently dealt away first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who can be a free agent after next season. Goldschmidt has been one of the handful of best players in the National League over the last five years, but with only one year of control remaining, brought only a mid-rotation pitching prospect, a young catcher with little offensive upside and a utility infielder in return.

(That said, ironically, the Diamondbacks would be one of first bidders for Bradley's services if the Sox decided to deal him, an industry source said).

Finally, dealing off an inning-eating starter like Porcello or either of two middle-of-the-field players would weaken the Sox' chance to become the first team to repeat as champions this century.