Mark Shapiro
Mark Shapiro
abruptly created farm good instead letting naturally players run traded
We were at the tail-end of a championship run. Instead of letting that run naturally just play out and transpire, we abruptly traded good players and artificially created an upper-level in our farm system.
absolutely careful chance gotten keeping players risk tools
We're so careful in our risk assessments that we may have a better chance of keeping our players on the field. And risk-assessment tools have absolutely gotten better.
lack league major relief
We lack upper-level, left-handed relief depth. (Heredia) could be a Major League alternative for us this year.
again crucial filling forward looking role
We are looking forward to him again filling a crucial role in our bullpen.
baseball cup equity excitement flag generate given history interested league major pastime proposal soccer sure waiting winning
We're interested and we're waiting for a proposal from Major League Baseball. It's not going to generate the kind of excitement that World Cup soccer does, given the history and the equity just isn't there yet. But at least for this country, anything with the America's pastime and the American flag is sure to be a winning combination.
addition approach fits mental physical teammate trade
When you trade for a guy, you don't know his mental approach and the kind of teammate he is. That was probably the most encouraging thing, in addition to his physical tools. He fits in well with our team and our clubhouse.
anyone clubhouse higher players ready team
The expectations for our team have been higher every year. Our players are ready for it. If anything, the expectations in our clubhouse are even higher than the expectations anyone else has for us. That's what you live for. You want expectations to be high like they are now.
close coming consistent ready subtle time work
There are some subtle things to work on to become more consistent offensively and defensively, but nothing drastic. He's ready or close to ready. His time is coming very soon.
three weeks work
We're actually in discussions with two other players. We still have three weeks to work on that.
alignment crucial either happens relationships trying vision wasted
There are two relationships that are crucial to success. One is the GM-owner, and the other is the GM-manager. If there's not alignment in vision in where you're trying to go between either of those two relationships, then what happens is wasted energy, frankly.
bullpen sentence sight welcome worry
Worry and bullpen are always in the same sentence for me. He'll be a welcome sight for us up here at this point.
engaged few resolution
We're still engaged in conversations with a few clubs. By the end of the week, we should have some resolution to that.
players statement unique
It's a statement to how unique the players are.
evaluate goal third
One third of this season's goal is to be more competitive. Two thirds is to evaluate and develop.