People said they were small ball, but they weren't as small as a lot of people like to think. They hit a lot of home runs. But their defense was pretty good and their pitching was very good. Their pitching is what carried them last year. |
Rick pitched very well for us down the stretch in September and we're confident that he can help us get to the next level. |
Santana pitched well for us. He got a big out for us in Pittsburgh when we won our 81st game. But he has had some injury problems and we think we have some other options. |
Since Rickie is on the 40-man roster and possibly may play in the Arizona Fall League, we wanted to get him to stay in baseball shape with the big club and receive the instruction and experience at this level. He has a very bright future and we believe that this opportunity will be invaluable for him in his development as a player. |
Sometimes, you have to meet face-to-face to get things done. It forces the issue. |
That was a problem. He's a guy who has to be in (the lineup) a little more to keep his stroke. |
That's a good start but it's only the beginning. We're farther ahead at this time this year than we were at this time a year ago. But it's going to be tougher to get to the next level, and that's what our goals are. We want to take this club and put it in the playoff environment. |
That's a lot for three guys, but we also had a bunch of arbitration guys (who received raises). We've got even more coming (next winter), so it's going to be challenging the next year or so. |
That's my feeling. We should get it done soon. |
That's something we'll have to discuss. It's always tough when you have a full roster. |
That's the big thing -- if he has any kind of cold or congestion, he has to get on medication quick. |
The main thing is trying to stay healthy with everybody. Ben, obviously is a big part of that, to get him ready for the start of the year. |
The most important thing is to get him back 100 percent. If it takes a few days longer than we thought, we'll do that. |
The most important thing is to get him back to 100 percent. We're looking at it every five days. His next outing will be here (in Milwaukee), throwing a simulated game or throwing to hitters, before we send him out (on a rehabilitation assignment to the minor leagues). |
The one thing we're real envious of is how well they play defensively. That's one area where we need to improve. |