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.
august building clearly colon decisive direction finish foot last maybe move rebuild since team trade until within
The Colon trade was a decisive move, and every move after that was clearly in the direction of, rebuild with a foot on the accelerator, ... That's what it had been until maybe August last year. Everything since then has been, 'Let's see what we can do to try to finish off building the team within the constraints of the market.'
finish himself needs third time
If we didn't have a third baseman, we could go with him, but he needs time at Triple-A to finish himself off.
clearer deal easier heading might next value year
It might be an easier deal to do next year because we'll have a clearer sense what the value is heading into the first year of arbitration.
validation
I want it for us , ... not as any validation for me.
breakout help hopefully last terms year
Last year was a breakout year for him in terms of command. Hopefully he can help us during the year at some point.
eighth moved ninth offense player responsibility rough sixth year
Our offense got going after he moved to third. We moved him from ninth to eighth to sixth to third, which is a rough responsibility for a player in his first year in the big leagues, and he hasn't blinked.
fit good style
He's a good fit for us as a person and a player. His style is different from everyone else in our rotation.
blink confidence drove handled mentally move
He didn't blink and how he handled that move mentally drove our confidence in making this offer.
basically expected hoped
He was basically everything we had hoped and expected to see.
ability bigger help options situation team
His options situation is not going to be an overriding factor. His long-term ability to help the team will be a bigger factor.
character fits job three versatile
He's done the job before, he's versatile and he can play all three positions. His make-up fits the character of our team.
carries confidence demeanor great love plays presence
I love his demeanor and the way he carries himself. He plays with a great sense of presence and confidence.
college felt playing role second unhappy
He was unhappy with his role on 'College GameDay,' ... He felt that he was playing second fiddle.