Dombrowski: Red Sox willing to exceed luxury tax threshold

Given the right trade proposal, the Red Sox are willing to exceed the luxury tax threshold prior to the July 31 non-waiver deadline.

NEW YORK - Dave Dombrowski removed a perceived hurdle with a simple statement.

 Given the right trade proposal, the Red Sox are willing to exceed the luxury tax threshold prior to the July 31 non-waiver deadline.

 That was the primary takeaway from an expansive pregame press conference given by Dombrowski on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, nearly 20 minutes of remarks where he touched on various topics concerning the club’s roster and farm system. Dombrowski said he had the blessing of owner John Henry to incur penalties imposed by Major League Baseball in pursuit of a fourth World Series title since 2004.

 “I’ve had a conversation with them about that,” Dombrowski said. “I think it’s important to know.”

 Going past the number of $197 million collectively bargained by the owners and the players union for 2018 triggers a 20 percent tax on all overages. Exceeding $217 million results in additional 12 percent surtax, a place where Boston currently finds itself thanks to its $235 million payroll.

 A further increase past $237 million would result in penalties that stretch beyond finances. Boston would be docked 10 spots in the first round of the 2019 draft in addition to a 42.5 percent tax rate on all overages. The Red Sox avoided that for the time being by convincing the Blue Jays to pay part of Steve Pearce’s remaining salary this season, terms of the Thursday trade that sent minor league infielder Santiago Espinal to Toronto.

 “That’s not going to be a deterrent for us if we have to,” Dombrowski said. “Would I prefer not to? Sure. But I would prefer not to be over 197, too, and we’re way above there.”

 Adding Pearce seems to address the final weakness among Boston’s position players, giving them a reliable bat against left-handed pitching. Dombrowski is satisfied that Eduardo Nunez and Brock Holt can platoon at second base in place of Dustin Pedroia (left knee inflammation). He also sees Blake Swihart as adequate cover at several spots, including catcher, first base and the outfield.

 “He really hasn’t had a chance to play on a regular basis,” Dombrowski said. “It’s not really anybody’s fault. It’s just circumstances. He does protect us at a lot of different roles.”

 It’s on the pitching staff where Dombrowski would be most likely to make an addition, as he did in each of the past two seasons by dealing for relievers Brad Ziegler and Addison Reed. Tyler Thornburg (right shoulder) was scheduled to throw for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday and Drew Pomeranz (left biceps tendinitis) is scheduled to make a rehab start for the PawSox on Monday. Steven Wright (left knee inflammation) will remain behind in New York to see his surgeon, but he played catch in the outfield prior to Saturday’s game.

 “I think it’s more of a wait and see for us,” Dombrowski said. “We have Thornburg. We have Wright. We have Pomeranz. Those are three guys – Wright and Pomeranz, if they both come back, they both can’t start. Somebody is going to slide back into the bullpen. We haven’t been in that scenario all season long.

 “I do think a bullpen in the postseason is different. But also, we have five starters – one of those guys is going to slide into your bullpen. We have to be in a position that you have enough spots out there.”

 Another thing Dombrowski stressed is that he wouldn’t be reactive to any move made by the Yankees. New York’s payroll is comfortably under the luxury tax at barely $166 million, and the Yankees boast three of the game’s top 65 prospects per MLB.com in outfielder Estevan Florial, left-handed pitcher Justus Sheffield and right-handed pitcher Albert Abreu. The two clubs were tied for first place in the American League East entering Saturday, a comfortable 13½ games ahead of the Rays.

 “They’re going to win a bunch of ballgames,” Dombrowski said. “We’re going to win a bunch of ballgames. I’m not sure what the separator would be.

 “We like our club as it is. I would think it would be more incremental type changes than a huge change that we would make. Those would be my instincts.”