Mark Shapiro
Mark Shapiro
backward boston depth extremely farm good impressive period pitching players point productive run short small step system
Boston is positioned extremely well for the future. They have a good farm system with upper-level players and a depth of pitching talent. They've rebuilt the farm system from a dilapidated system to a productive one. If they take a small step backward this year, at some point they will go on a run that will be an impressive run. They're a short period away.
andy close extremely finish given leagues major minor ready third time
If we didn't have a third baseman, Andy could play in the major leagues right now. Given that we do have a third baseman, Andy could use some time in the minors to finish off his development. Defensively, he's major-league ready right now. Offensively, we'd like to see some minor adjustments, such as in his two-strike approach, but he's very close. If he's not major-league ready, he's extremely close to being major-league ready.
allowed best center excited extremely future profiles similar turn value
Coco and Grady have similar skills, and we're extremely excited about Grady's future. Coco profiles best as a center fielder, which allowed us to be opportunistic and get a whole lot of value for him, which, in the end, was too much to turn down.
ability compliments extremely high jason outfield percentage player positions recording three tough
Jason is a hard-nosed, tough player that compliments our lineup extremely well. He has always been a tough out while recording a high on-base percentage and has the ability to play all three outfield positions well.
anyone extremely last pace since surprised ton
I wouldn't say I'm surprised by Cliff's development, but I am a little surprised by the pace of it. He's an extremely competitive guy. He's made a ton of adjustments since last season, but I don't think anyone could have anticipated (that he'd get this good, this fast).
approach beyond exemplary extremely far game good player trying
His approach to the game is far beyond his years. He's completely exemplary of the kind of player we're trying to get. He's a good teammate, good person, reliable, and extremely gifted.
conscious excited extremely wants
He's extremely positive. Extremely motivated. Excited to come back here. He's conscious of what we're going through right now and wants to be a part of that.
clean consistent game played turned
We just played consistent in between the tackles and turned out the first downs. It was a pretty clean game for us.
club spring training
We're very comfortable going into spring training with the club we've got right now.
classic context defines espn historical history news proper sports thirsty
ESPN Classic is going through a transition. They're thirsty to put today's news in its proper historical sports context ... History defines sports. Without that context, today's news wouldn't be as grand.
anybody august coming contending last late looking spring team time year
Every time we go through something, it's a young team and we're going through it for the first time, ... Last year, it was contending late in the season, in August and September. This year ... coming out of spring training, it was the first time anybody was looking at us.
finished good improve left product swing
There's some things left in his swing that he could still improve upon, but nothing dramatic. He's not a finished product right now. But he's going to be a good player.
good question
Brandon Phillips is going to be a good major-leaguer. The question is when and where.
bob next pitch wants
Bob is an option. We know he wants to pitch next year.