NEW YORK -- On July 29, 2009, the Philadelphia Phillies were locked in a three-team fight for the National League East crown. They had a powerful offense, a suspect starting rotation, and expectations of returning to the World Series.
So, when then-Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. walked through the clubhouse after trading four prospects to the Cleveland Indians for ace lefty Cliff Lee, the players stood and applauded.
It's easy to imagine the Boston Red Sox doing the same next time they see Dave Dombrowski.
Over the past 10 days, Dombrowski has made four trades designed to improve the Red Sox's chances of reaching the postseason.