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.
attractive calls deals dozen leaked offered point potential prospects shop teams tempting trade winter word
At no point this winter did we shop Coco. But once word leaked out (about the potential trade with Boston), we got over a dozen calls from other teams about Coco. We got offered some very attractive prospects for Coco, and some of the deals were tempting to make. But this was the only one we wanted.
backup best catching compete definitely good hits leader minor prospects ready
He's one of the best catching prospects in the minor leagues. A good receiver, with an above-average arm, he's a leader and he hits with power. He'll come in and compete (with light-hitting Einar Diaz) for the backup catcher's role, but he's definitely major-league ready right now.
accomplish both club fit franklin good guys largely prospect prospects spring
They will both be guys that you'll see a lot of in Spring Training. That's one of the things we want to accomplish this spring. Guys who fit into our plan, we want to get a good look at. Our Triple-A club is largely going to be a prospect club. Two of those prospects are Franklin and Brad.
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.