Mark Shapiro
Mark Shapiro
depth easily fifth guy sixth starter teams
To have a guy as your sixth starter who could very easily be your fifth starter -- we want to be a championship organization -- and that's the kind of depth championship teams have.
backward boston depth extremely farm good impressive period pitching players point productive run short small step system
Boston is positioned extremely well for the future. They have a good farm system with upper-level players and a depth of pitching talent. They've rebuilt the farm system from a dilapidated system to a productive one. If they take a small step backward this year, at some point they will go on a run that will be an impressive run. They're a short period away.
april decisions depth focusing matter primary
Depth decisions are some of the primary things I'm focusing on. They won't matter much on April 2. But on May 13, they could be huge.
cleveland either general hard inside last outside people skepticism standing waiting
I think there's been a general skepticism in the game, a lot of people inside and outside of Cleveland waiting for us to collapse. It's been so hard for people to believe. But if we're still standing by the last weekend, either race, it doesn't matter.
ability compliments extremely high jason outfield percentage player positions recording three tough
Jason is a hard-nosed, tough player that compliments our lineup extremely well. He has always been a tough out while recording a high on-base percentage and has the ability to play all three outfield positions well.
expected good guy
Jhonny's a guy that we expected to have a good year,
area gives great intended player rotation sign
We had intended to put a young player in the rotation and sign elsewhere. But we made this signing, and it gives us an area of great depth.
bullpen dominant last pitchers
I think if you look what he's done over the last two seasons, he's been one of the most dominant bullpen pitchers in the American League.
approach discipline finish great guy needs plate progress quality year
I think he's made great progress from a year ago in his approach and plate discipline. The quality of his at-bats was significantly better. He's a guy that's coming. He needs to finish off some things offensively, but he's coming.
adversity belief communication consistency critics doubting earlier manager reason season team year
I think he should get it (the Manager of the Year Award). The reason our team was able to withstand the adversity we had earlier this season was his belief in the team. That belief, when a lot of critics were doubting him, his consistency from day to day, and his communication skills, all of that is a big reason why we are where we are.
bring good last recognized team
I think they recognized that not only were the very good last year, but they were also very fortunate, and they addressed it. They didn't bring the same team back.
coasters drunk industry return roller simply
I think this industry got drunk on roller coasters. Big roller coasters simply do not get the return on investments that they used to.
anyone extremely last pace since surprised ton
I wouldn't say I'm surprised by Cliff's development, but I am a little surprised by the pace of it. He's an extremely competitive guy. He's made a ton of adjustments since last season, but I don't think anyone could have anticipated (that he'd get this good, this fast).
bigger including
I think it had a big impact. Bigger than any of us realized, including him.