For the fourth time in his career, Dave Dombroski has reached the World Series.
He built this year’s Red Sox squad for more than a one and done run. From stud draft picks like Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi to International signing prospects Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers, this is a team well worth the hype. Add in some Detroit Dombroski flavor and you have a winning machine built to last.
From the day he was hired until today, which is Game 1 of the 2018 World Series, Dombroski has never changed his ways. It can be frustrating and when he leaves a club it’s been known to set them back for years. These teams still ride the high of past winning seasons he brought them, only to come to the realization they have to find another way to win again. Most franchises have to build themselves back up from within through drafts and stockpiling prospects. It’s to say Dave Dombroski is a franchise-ruiner. But damn if he isn’t a winner. He never evolved with the game, rather, he plays his own game to build championship contenders.
Dombroski’s Notable Boston Timeline:
August 18, 2015 – Dombroski Hired by Boston Red Sox
November 13, 2105 – Acquired Craig Kimbrel from the San Diego Padres for four prospects
December 4, 2015 – Signed free agent David Price
Finished 2016 Season 93-69 (Won AL East, Lost to Cleveland Indians in ALDS)
December 6, 2016 – Acquired Chris Sale from the Chicago White Sox for four prospects
December 8, 2016 – Signed free agent Mitch Moreland
July 25, 2017 – Acquired Eduardo Nunez from the San Fransisco Giants for two prospects
Finished 2017 Season 93-69 (Won AL East, Lost to Houston Astros in ALDS)
October 11, 2017 – Fired manager John Farrell
October 22, 2017 – Hired manager Alex Cora
February 28, 2018 – Signed free agent J.D. Martinez
July 30, 2018 – Acquired Ian Kinsler from the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations and two prospects
Finished 2018 Season 108-54 (Won AL East, Advanced to World Series)
Much like he did when he left the then Florida Marlins for the Detroit Tigers, Dombroski has always maintained his winning formula by adding pieces from past jobs that made him successful. With the exception of former Tigers pitcher Rick Procello, who was with the Sox a full year before Dombroski came, he signed ace pitcher David Price who was with Detroit from 2014 to 2015. J.D. Martinez and Dustin Pedroia‘s replacement Ian Kinsler were essential pieces of Detroit from 2014-2017 and became the final pieces Dombroski needed to solidify his World Series run this season.
At first, the Martinez signing was a controversial move back in February when it was thought Boston was trying to build from their prospects and not add on more to their hefty payroll. But they needed a power0-hitting corner fielder who, with the help of Moreland, can fill the DH void left by David Ortiz‘s retirement almost two years prior. 43 home runs and 130 RBIs later, Dombroski was labeled a “genius GM”.
Dombroski isn’t one to build from within. That’s just not his style. It’s accurate, each place he’s been two he’s depleted their farm systems to get what he wants. But what Dombroski is good at is finding value and making it work to build his masterpiece. He, like Brian Cashman of the Yankees, are apart of the spenders club, adding big free agents no matter the price or prospect. After all, if you’re winning, nothing else matters.
