PETER ABRAHAM

Fearless Dave Dombrowski knows how to pull off the big trades

Dombrowski is not afraid to trade top prospects for proven talent.

Frank Wren, the newly hired Boston Red Sox's Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, talks with reporters prior baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015. At rear left is Red Sox's President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

ALEX SPEIER

Trade groundwork takes extensive planning

How trades helped build the 2017 Red Sox

06/22/16: Boston, MA: Red Sox manager John Farrell (left) and team president Dave Dombrowski (right) were chatting in the dugout before the game. The Boston Red Sox hosted the Chicago White Sox in a regular season MLB baseball game at Fenway Park. (Globe Staff Photo/Jim Davis) section:sports topic: Red Sox-White Sox

PETER ABRAHAM

There’s more to trades than just announcements. A lot more.

Latest Baseball 2017: The Trade Machine headlines

The Red Sox will only have two of their “Big Three” starting pitchers at the start of the season with David Price (right) on the disabled list) But Chris Sale (left) and Rick Porcello (center) are ready to go

BASEBALL PREVIEW

Meet the 2017 Red Sox

The pitching staff should be better with the addition of Chris Sale, but who will fill the void left by David Ortiz?

Fort Myers, FL - 2/19/2017 - Boston Red Sox left fielder Brock Holt (12) calls off Boston Red Sox second baseman/infielder Josh Rutledge (32) to make the catch during a fly ball drill. Red Sox Spring Training. Picture Day and workouts. Day Seven at Jet Blue Park in Fort Myers, FL. - (Barry Chin/Globe Staff), Section: Sports, Reporter: Peter Abraham, Topic: 20Red Sox, LOID: 8.3.1649046304.

ALEX SPEIER

Buy-low trades can shape a championship

Red Sox scouts saw the utility potential in Brock Holt when the team acquired him in late 2012.

07/08/15: Boston, MA: The Red Sox took a 4-0 lead into the top of the 4th inning, but as he has done many times this season, Boston starting pitcher Rick Porcello gave Miami two quick runs back to cut the lead in half. It looked like he might give up more, as the Marlins had runners on second and third with two outs, but Porcello got himself out of the jam by making a nice lunging play on a ball headed up the middle off the bat of Miami's Christian Yelich. He then threw him out at first to end the inning and the play elicited a howl from Porcello as he headed for the dugout. The Boston Red Sox hosted the Miami Marlins in an inter league MLB baseball game at Fenway Park. (Globe Staff Photo/Jim Davis) section:sports topic:Red Sox-Marlins (1)

PETER ABRAHAM

Trade to Red Sox transformed Rick Porcello

Porcello changed from a depth starter with the Tigers to a Cy Young winner with the Sox.

Boston, MA - 7/22/2016 - (4th inning) Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) dives unsuccessfully for a hard hit single up the middle by Minnesota Twins right fielder Miguel Sano (22) during the fourth inning. The Boston Red Sox take on the Minnesota Twins in Game 2 of a 4 game series at Fenway Park. - (Barry Chin/Globe Staff), Section: Sports, Reporter: Peter Abraham, Topic: 23Red Sox-Twins, LOID: 8.2.3687102459 .

NICK CAFARDO

For veteran Dustin Pedroia, change is a constant in baseball

He has seen a lot of teammates come and go, and has had to make adjustments in his preparation.

GLobe Staff photo by Bill Greene 2-25-86 Red Sox second baseman Jerry Remy hits a ground ball during daily practice at spring training. Library Tag 04192009 Magazine

Chad Finn | Sports Media

Trade to Red Sox colored their worlds

Jerry Remy, Dennis Eckersley and Steve Lyons landed in the right situation.

Boston-08/11/2016-Red Sox vs Yankees- Yankees Alex Rodriguez walk to his turn in batting practice. This was his last game at Fenway Park before retiring. Boston Globe staff photo by John Tlumacki(sports)

NICK CAFARDO

The ones that got away from the Red Sox

Their history is littered with potential blockbuster deals that just turned into busts.

Chicago Cubs players line up before a spring training baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, March 25, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

2017 NL TEAM PREVIEWS

The Cubs should again be the class of the NL

The Cubs should cruise. Everyone loves the Dodgers. And the Mets’ pitching seems back on track.

Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.

CHRISTOPHER L. GASPER

Red Sox are putting present above the future

Trade history can be unforgiving. Is Dave Dombrowski on the right side of it?

12/12/97 Boston, MA. New Red Sox pitching ace Pedro Martinez talks to reporters about signing a 75 million dollar contract with the Red Sox. The team's general manager Dan Dukette, right, has a laugh about it.

DAN SHAUGHNESSY

Baseball trades just aren’t what they used to be

It’s no longer player for player, or value for value. It’s cash considerations.

Fort Myers, FL - 2/20/2017 - Red Sox Spring Training. Team workouts. Day Eight at Jet Blue Park in Fort Myers, FL. - (Barry Chin/Globe Staff), Section: Sports, Reporter: Peter Abraham, Topic: 21Red Sox, LOID: 8.3.1672832220.

Globe staff predictions for the 2017 MLB season

Peter Abraham, Nick Cafardo, Alex Speier, Chad Finn, Dan Shaughnessy, and Christopher L. Gasper weigh in.

Fort Myers, FL - 2/18/2017 - Red Sox Spring Training. Day Six at Jet Blue Park in Fort Myers, FL. - (Barry Chin/Globe Staff), Section: Sports, Reporter: Peter Abraham, Topic: 19Red Sox, LOID: 8.3.1646383778.

2017 AL TEAM PREVIEWS

On paper, the Red Sox are the team to beat in the AL

It’ll come down to Boston’s pitching. Cleveland has its starting rotation back. And Houston’s lineup could rival Boston’s.

Fort Myers, FL - 2/15/2017 -

ALEX SPEIER

What is it like for a prospect to get traded for an established veteran?

Some members of the Red Sox recall being confused — and determined — after being dealt.