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The Boston Red Sox Sunday, July 22, 2018 * The Boston Globe J.D. Martinez gets a day off for ’general soreness’ Peter Abraham DETROIT — J.D. Martinez had a wrap around the middle of his body as he walked through the clubhouse before the game. It was not hard to figure out why. “I ran into a wall,” he said. Indeed he did, a jarring collision with the padded green wall at the 385-foot mark in right center in the third inning on Friday night. Martinez held onto the ball hit by JaCoby Jones as he hit the wall face first and stayed in the game. “Just a big dude at full speed hitting that wall,” Cora said. The manager decided to be cautious with the major league leader in RBIs and held him out of the lineup on Saturday with what was termed “general soreness.” He should be back on Sunday. “He wasn’t feeling great after the game,” Cora said. “I decided to give him the day.” Cora said the incident would not cause him to restrict how often Martinez plays in the field. “No. He likes playing the field. I take that into consideration,” Cora said. From 2016-17, Martinez had only six games and 29 plate appearance as the DH. Do Red Sox have enough prospects to pull off a trade? Nick Cafardo DETROIT — The Red Sox are trying to make their team airtight for the postseason, but so far some of the teams they have been talking to seem to believe the Sox don’t have enough in the talent pool to pull off a trade. Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski disagrees. “We have enough to make a major trade if we want to,” Dombrowski said. “I think that’s overblown.” Manager Alex Cora and Dombrowski feel “very comfortable” with the current roster. And both feel if nothing happens by the trade deadline they’d have a very strong team. They have the best record in baseball. But what else would they say publicly? The Red Sox inquired about Mets closer Jeurys Familia, but weren’t able to get very far once the Mets started engaging with Oakland, which has a much deeper minor league system. The Red Sox love Zach Britton — and yes, what a pickup he would be — but the Orioles have been evaluating Boston’s farm system. Boston’s top hitting prospect, Michael Chavis, fresh off an 80-day PED suspension, hasn’t been playing much at Double A Portland because of a wrist injury. Teams also would be wary of trading for a guy who was just off a PED suspension (Chavis told the Globe he doesn’t know how the substance got into his system). With at least seven teams in on Britton, the Red Sox would have to give up a prospect such as righthanders Bryan Mata, Tanner Houck, or Danny Diaz, lefthander Darwinzon Hernandez, first baseman Josh Ockimey, or third baseman Bobby Dalbec. “You just come away with the thought, ‘Is that prospect someone I absolutely have to have? Can I do better elsewhere?’ ” said one American League special assistant. “You just don’t come away with ‘Oh my God, have to have him.’ ” But as many baseball executives have said, never underestimate Dombrowski. He is one of the master traders in baseball. Like Theo Epstein, Dombrowski has never been afraid to deal a prospect in those seasons in which the big league club is thriving. Could the Red Sox keep on trucking with their current team? With a dearth of good teams, probably so. In the postseason, you need three solid starters, at least five solid relievers, and preferably one good lefthanded reliever. As lefthander Heath Hembree’s role grows — he can be brought in for high-leverage situations — it appears the Red Sox can depend on Hembree, Matt Barnes, Joe Kelly, and Craig Kimbrel. Yes, Kelly has had his hiccups, but he can easily get back on a positive streak, as he was for most of the first half. The Red Sox need that solid fifth guy. Brandon Workman has shown flashes. Hector Velazquez is considered more in that sixth-reliever category. So adding a playoff-experienced reliever would be a good idea. A lot of people think Dombrowski will pick up a reliever he’s familiar with, such as the Twins’ Fernando Rodney or the White Sox’ Joakim Soria. But there are no shortage of relievers in a saturated market. The trick is picking the right one. Dombrowski said he doesn’t necessarily have to acquirea reliever with playoff experience, but that would be preferable. Dombrowski was unwilling to prioritize what the team was looking for. But that’s his way. He downplays just about everything until he’s actually ready to pounce. Dombrowski doesn’t like to tip his hand. He warns that just because there’s a Red Sox scout in the stands doesn’t mean that scout is looking at a specific player. Of course, at this time of the year — the trade season — most scouts are looking for something specific. In that respect, Dombrowski won’t be able to get the bloodhounds off the scent. Teams that have bottom-third farm systems are definitely at a disadvantage at the trade deadline. Boston could deal Rafael Devers and get a ton in return. But they’re not going to deal him because his salary is under team control and he projects as a top player in the league. And they are not going to deal Andrew Benintendi. Certainly they could get a ton for him, but it’s just not going to happen. And what sense does it make to rob Peter to pay Paul, as the great Lou Gorman used to say. Dombrowski acknowledges keeping his eyes on everything around the league. He keeps up with AL contenders such as the Yankees, Indians, Astros, Mariners, and A’s. He doesn’t feel as if he’ll have to react to whatever they might do because, as he’s found out through experience, a trade deadline pick up doesn’t always put a team over the top. Dombrowski takes this time of the year very seriously. As he puts it, it’s a chance to improve the team if it makes sense. He has an army of major league scouts watching any potential trade candidates. He’s got his major advisers — Frank Wren patrolling the National League and Allard Baird watching the American League. Wren’s recommendations have yielded Craig Kimbrel and Eduardo Nunez, among others. Baird’s recommendations have brought Steve Pearce, Chris Sale, and others. The Red Sox seem as prepared for the deadline as any team. Now the questions will arise — can they do something with what they have to offer? And do they feel they really need much at all? Red Sox activate Rafael Devers from the disabled list Rachel G. Bowers The Red Sox on Saturday activated third baseman Rafael Devers from the disabled list. Devers had been out since July 10 with left shoulder inflammation. He spent the All-Star break in the Dominican Republic and got treatment while he was there at the team’s academy in El Toro. “I’m feeling better,” said Devers, who worked out on the field before Friday’s game in Detroit. “I want to play.” Before he went on the disabled list, Devers was slashing .241/.292/.424 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs. To make room for Devers, the Sox optioned lefthanded pitcher Bobby Poyner to Triple-A Pawtucket. Poyner has allowed two runs on 10 hits with 10 Ks and a walk over his 10 relief appearances for the Sox this season. Instead of Mike Trout, how about making Mookie Betts the face of baseball? Nick Cafardo That Commissioner Rob Manfred is drawing criticism over his comments about how Mike Trout chooses not to promote himself as the face of baseball is misplaced. Manfred was merely telling the truth. If everyone wants Trout to be the face of baseball, Trout would need to be on board with that and do things to promote it. That’s why the guy the league should be promoting is Mookie Betts, who would be more willing to do the things required to gain that status. Manfred made a truthful comment when he said that, “Player marketing requires one thing for sure: the player. He has to make the decision that he’s wanting to engage in that area. Mike’s a great, great player and a really good person. If he wants to engage and be more active I think we could help him make his brand be really big.” Trout, however, would rather just play baseball, spend time with his family, and not get out there shooting a lot of commercials. It’s just not him. Manfred made his comment and suddenly there were a rash of statements by the Angels and Trout himself having to address Manfred’s comments. Trout is not LeBron James, who is in an endless number of commercials and NBA shoots. The topic came about as a result of a story by Los Angeles Times baseball columnist Bill Shaikin , who explored the topic of why Trout isn’t more marketable. Manfred referred to the story at his press conference with the BBWA earlier this week at the All-Star Game. Manfred said he liked the story because it was a thorough look at Trout and the reasons he doesn’t want to be the out-front guy for the league.

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