If you're catching once every 14 games, yes, that would not be enough. But that is not the case. He is getting enough time. |
If you've got five starters that you perceive to be terrific starters, then go get a sixth because that depth is going to come up; there is no doubt about it. From our perspective we feel very strongly about being a perennial contender and that means the strong guy on the mound and the relievers behind him. |
In Bart, we're seeing a steady progress. Escobar is through the roof; he has really picked it up. |
In Oakland, it was purely a matter of command; he didn't have his good stuff. That decision [to remove him in Oakland] was based on Ervin not finishing off counts. Tonight it was just the opposite. He was in the zone early in counts and finishing off hitters. He was ahead in the count to most batters. |
Incredible. You could sense that was something special as soon as it happened. |
Instead of looking at the numbers, you have to realize that Orlando is a situational hitter. He needs to get on base, and when he gets on base, he can manufacture runs with his legs. |
It could have turned the other way in a heartbeat. This team had to play very well to beat that club over there. It's good we didn't let it drag on. ... They were in grind mode all year and got this first step done. |
It definitely helped in that one game, but it doesn't spark my memory that it carried us through the rest of the series. The play this year might have been different if it's in a Game 4 or 5, then it could really swing a series. But it's not an issue this early, when they've only played two games. |
It didn't look like he was able to get after it the way he needs to. We won't know for a couple days if it will impact his next start. |
It is an aggressive baserunning play. I don't think it is one we're going to design unless you're Willie Mays Hayes. |
It is difficult on a young catcher because so much of the physical part is hard but the mental aspect is the most important. [Mathis'] communication with pitchers has been outstanding. We're going to continue to foster that. |
It is early stiffness that most guys will get in spring at one time or another. It just happened to be on a day that he pitched. |
It is more awkward for Orlando, because as a shortstop, you round the ball differently. But we've run that shift enough and he has made that play. |
It is not going to be just Jose Molina. We feel that any catcher out there can work with any pitcher. We're going to need them both; we're going to use them both. It is not necessarily going to be a one and one type situation. |
It is something that we would welcome, but it is not an absolute necessity, ... does not have to hit home runs to be productive. What we need is for his production to get back to where it needs to be. He is one of the premier RBI guys in the last few years and we need that to re-emerge. |