Mark Shapiro
Mark Shapiro
absolutely buffalo compete dominant guy last special wants year
This guy had an absolutely dominant year at Buffalo last year. He's come in here and showed he aggressively wants to compete for that job, which is great. We didn't take him lightly. This guy's year last year was a special one.
absolutely careful chance gotten keeping players risk tools
We're so careful in our risk assessments that we may have a better chance of keeping our players on the field. And risk-assessment tools have absolutely gotten better.
absolutely buffalo compete dominant last lightly shown wants year
He absolutely had a dominant year at Buffalo last year. And he's come in here and shown that he aggressively wants to compete for this job. We don't take lightly that year he had at Buffalo.
above among certainly offered signed
I know we were certainly among the finalists. But, dollar-wise, we offered above what he signed for.
both core happening players run signed similar team together
It's similar in that both times we signed core players who we wanted to keep together for a run of championship baseball. That's what's most important about what's happening here now. We want to keep this team together.
situation
It's not a situation where we have to see everything right away. We just want to get him acclimated to this environment.
bottom consistent four
The bottom four in the lineup have to be more consistent and a little more productive.
attributes basis best daily enjoys game genuinely himself level option passion performance picks player plays
The best option is when a player picks it up himself by his level of performance. He genuinely has a passion for the game and plays on a daily basis like he enjoys it. That is representative of the attributes we want in our players.
hardest
That, ... is the hardest thing in the world for a GM.
atmosphere country excited game meaningful pitching pressure
I'm excited to see him do well in a meaningful game with the pressure of pitching for his country. We could not simulate that kind of atmosphere here.
bear bright built decisions future hang hope last three trust
I hope we have built some (fan) trust through our decisions of the last three years. I say bear with me, hang in there and trust that we have a very bright future in 2006 and beyond.
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.
approach fits hard love plays short team
I love his approach to hit. He's short to the ball, plays hard and fits in very well with our team and our culture.
assistant general
I had nothing to do with that. I was in the room, but I was the assistant general manager. I didn't make any of the calls.