I'll let Buddy (Bell) make that call but he sure fits nicely as the No. 2 guy. |
I'm not going to rule out anybody at this point. |
I'm really proud of him. |
If he left March 15, that would be a different story. We haven't played a game yet. No pitcher has pitched a pitch yet in a game, so to me that does not factor in. The most important thing for us right now really is for him to take care of the personal matter. Everything else is secondary. |
If it was a pitch count, a baseball issue, I could tell you. |
If something presents itself, we'll surely take a look at it. But as of right now, we think we've addressed our needs as we head into the off-season. |
In our market, for instance, you look at the risk factors involved, and the fact that the margin of error is smaller for us to be successful, and it's very important. |
Is he better at this point compared to where he was last week? Yes. |
Is there complete parity? ... No. But quite frankly, I think it's a copout to use [financial disparity] as an excuse. It's like I tell people: If you don't like the cold weather, move down south. |
Is there complete parity? No. But quite frankly, I think it's a copout to use [financial disparity] as an excuse. It's like I tell people: If you don't like the cold weather, move down south. |
It came down to two things: One, the player's desire to play this game and, two, ownership was gracious enough to give us the resources to make this happen. The kid deserves a lot of credit and ownership does, too. |
It is a factor because of what it is going to take [to sign a draft pick], and obviously the track record of his clients being willing to sit out. |
It is all quiet there. There's nothing new, right now. |
It sounds like a company line, but he's progressing and moving forward. Is he better than he was last week? Yes. |
It was just a comfort level with the manager. He inherited those guys. Both of them are good baseball people and they're going to be offered other positions in the organization. |