We're trying to get some objective information. A healthy Jeff Bagwell is what we want. If he can't be a full-time player, we have to figure out if we can collect on the insurance or not. |
We've achieved a great historical milestone. |
We've been in the process of talking to other clubs. Just because the holidays are here, we're going to try to keep working to improve this club, but we have to do it in a way where we're not going to mortgage our future and hurt ourselves long-term. |
We've given Roger the freedom to have the opportunity to be with his family, and travel apart form the club. That's something that, from what I understand, other clubs are not offering and we are. |
We've got a problem with his shoulder, and we don't know to what extent it is right now. |
We've got another goal in mind for next year and the year's after ? but we could not have done this without (the fans). You stayed with us in April and May when we struggled. You stayed with us in June, July and August. And, now you are here to celebrate with us today. You're a big part of why we have been successful, |
We've got some time here. We all feel bad. It's a difficult situation for everybody. |
We've had our backs against the wall for the better part of two seasons. We've had to come from behind last year. We've had to come from behind this year, ... You know, we carry on. That's what we're doing. We're carrying on. |
We've had two great years, and they were special years. The fact of the matter is Roger's 43 years old. ... We're not talking about somebody in the middle of a great career. We're talking about somebody who's at the end of a great career. |
We've seen real progress, both in terms of his confidence and his location. He's got a bright future. |
We've turned our focus toward the outfield and adding a run producer from the outfield. We're edging closer to that. |
What he has that most of our starters don't have is experience. That's something, as we head into the stretch, we're going to need. The experience factor is big for us. |
What he's done with that pain is absolutely mind-blowing. Just to be able to put the bat on the ball, to the extent that he did ... To me, you look at the X-ray, you think, 'How's he doing this?' It is sheer will. |
What we're going to do is use spring training as sort of a feeling-out process for Phil and Preston and our other outfielders. It gives us a lot of comfort to know that you've got a pure center fielder like Preston. But he's also so athletic, he can come in and play either corner and we'll feel very comfortable with it. |
When he left, he wasn't violently ill. It was just a touch of the flu. I was more worried about his start tomorrow. Now that he will get a full day of rest, I think he should be OK. We don't start playing until Wednesday. |