BOSTON -- Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports wrote yesterday that the Red Sox are a "wild card" in any potential Sonny Gray trade.

"The Boston Red Sox have quietly sent some of their most respected evaluators to his last two starts," Passan wrote. "This could fall under standard due diligence, but one source familiar with their intentions said the Red Sox are keen for Gray - and when president Dave Dombrowski targets a player, the price for other teams jumps accordingly."

It's unlikely Dombrowski will pursue Gray judging by his comments Friday.

After landing Doug Fister, Dombrowski said starting pitching depth is a priority.

But he added, "Unlike some other clubs, I don't believe we need to add a top of the rotation-type starter. We have (Chris) Sale. I think David Price continues to make strides. ... His stuff is good. (Drew) Pomeranz has thrown well for us. (Eduardo) Rodriguez has thrown well. We know Rick Porcello is a good pitcher. We just have to straighten him out. So maybe other clubs are looking for that No. 1, No. 2 type starter. That's not really important for us. I think it's more important to be in a position where we add depth for us and somebody that can help us win major league games."

Dombrowski added that the team is open-minded to improving the club in all areas.

"I'm not going to get into specifics at this time on what else we're looking for," he said.

Dombrowski didn't say what positions he'd like to upgrade but he added that he still is hopeful Pablo Sandoval and Brock Holt can contribute this year.

He also mentioned Carson Smith as an important member of the bullpen, although Smith's health remains a question mark. Smith experienced a recent setback (shoulder muscle soreness).

It sounds like third base and bullpen (not starting pitching) are the two areas Dombrowski will focus on the most as the July 31 deadline nears.