Red Sox Notebook: Red Sox react to Joe Kelly signing, Rule 5 draft

LAS VEGAS -- Joe Kelly's deal -- three years, $25 million -- with the Los Angeles Dodgers isn't yet official, so Dave Dombrowski was somewhat limited in what he could say about confirmed reports on the signing.

"It hasn't been announced, just rumored,'' said Dombrowski on the final morning of the winter meetings. "I'll just say what I've heard (about the terms) wouldn't surprise me. But I really can't say anything more than that.''

Asked about Kelly's impact on the Sox, Dombrowski again wasn't comfortable saying much until the deal was official.

He was asked if the Sox had been engaged in negotiations with Kelly until the agreement with the Dodgers.

"I think I would say that, anything that's taken place, we're not caught by surprise,'' Dombrowski said.

He declined to say whether the Sox have made any offers to any free agent relievers.

In the big picture, Kelly's signing -- along with a three-year deal between the Mets and Jeurys Familia -- might represent a kick-start for the free agent reliever market.

"It looks like it has,'' said Dombrowski, "and I know there are other things that are going to happen (soon), too, from comments I've heard behind the scenes. So yes, it's starting to move. But even though it's starting to move, there's still a long way to go with a lot of people.

"We have our ears to the ground to see what's going on, but we're also, I think, philosophically, our approach isn't changing at this time. There's a lot of guys out there, but there's still a lot of way to go. But it has at least started to move in that regard.''

Dombrowski said the Sox weren't close to any agreements with free agents and again repeated that the Sox were willing to wait out the market some.

"You can never tell what ends up taking place,'' he said. "At this time of year, if you're going to sign somebody, you're going to be aggressive to make it happen with big dollars and we're not at that point right now in the reliever market. I can't tell you we're any closer (to doing something).''

With Christmas less than two weeks away and a slowdown in the industry coming, it may be the Sox will have to wait until January for some bullpen additions.

"The possibility exists,'' he said. "It wouldn't surprise me because there are so many names out there. You're always prepared.''

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The Sox lost one player and selected two others in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.

The Sox chose righthanded reliever Anyelo Gomez from the New York Yankees in the first round and righty reliever Andrew Schwaab in the second round from Detroit.

"(Gomez) is a power arm when he's right,'' said Red Sox director of pro scouting Gus Quattlebaum. "There's a little bit of a shoulder history. We think, with our shoulder program, we have full confidence we can bring him back. He throws up to 97-98 mph; his secondary (stuff) could use some work, but in this context, we're willing to take that risk.''

"Schwaab is kind of an unorthodox look from a lower (arm) slot. He won't wow you with power, but it's a deceptive fastball. He can be a little erratic with his command, but historically, he can be really effective against righthanded hitters. He keeps the ball on the ground at a relatively high rate. We'll probably start him at Portland.''

The Sox lost outfielder Tyler Hill to Detroit. He was a late-round pick in 2014 who is a raw athlete.

"We're proud of the progress he has made,'' said Quattlebaum. "He's athletic, has some pop, can bounce around the outfield. We're happy he's going to get that opportunity.''