You are right. By itself, that is not evidence of any new directive. Given Dombrowski's history with the Red Sox, however, I tend to think that Henry is tightening the reigns a bit.
Except for the JD signing last year, Dombrowski has acted relatively early in the offseason. When there is a player that Dombrowski wants, he doesn't sit around and wait for the market, including the trade market, to come to him. He acted quickly with Price, Kimbrel, and Sale, He also acted quickly with Moreland, Pearce, and Eovaldi.
I'm just speculating, of course.