FORT MYERS — This might come as crushing news to the gang at his beloved Dunkin’ Donuts in Brookline, but Dave Dombrowski returned the Red Sox to contending status in the American League East.
The Red Sox had been just one player away from being back in the game. The one player’s name was J.D. Martinez. And now he belongs to the Sox, even if, and let’s get this right out the way, he’s not David Ortiz. But Martinez is definitely an Ortiz-type, and that’s what the Red Sox are going to need to contend with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and the rest of the Bronx Bombers.