December 28, 2000

The Week in Quotes

December 9-26, 2000

by Derek Zumsteg

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PIRATES

"We'll be better than we were last year. Terry Mulholland is a proven warrior who has pitched in big games and has helped his clubs get to the playoffs and succeed. He has the ability to start and relieve, which gives our club some real flexibility."
-- Cam Bonifay, Pirates GM, on signing pitcher Terry Mulholland

"Derek Bell also makes our club better. He gives us tremendous flexibility in the outfield and gives our manager the flexibility to move players in and out of the lineup. If he gets an opportunity to drive in runs, we feel he'll be successful because he has done that in the past. It just depends on the makeup of our club. But, no question, I think he has the ability. He's a young 32 years old and he's in the prime of his career."
-- Bonifay, on signing outfielder Derek Bell

"This sends shock waves. Pittsburgh is no longer a doormat in the free-agent market."
-- Lloyd McClendon, Pirates manager, on signing Mulholland and Bell

"We've added two players who create excitement about the Pittsburgh Pirates. We've done some things we set out to do. We've strengthened our team."
-- Bonifay

BIRDS

"Trading Mike Bordick last July was extremely difficult, because we all know what a productive player, quality person and hard worker he is. Getting him to come back is a significant step for us. His signing provides us with a proven shortstop and another veteran to make a positive impact on our younger players."
-- Syd Thrift, Orioles Vice President of Baseball Operations, on signing infielder Mike Bordick

"Just when everyone thought we were sleeping, we woke up."
-- Thrift

"David is the kind of pitcher who can [help] in the development of some of our young pitchers. That's exactly the type of person we're looking for-- someone who can give the manager that kind of confidence aside from his ability."
-- Thrift on his pursuit of pitcher David Cone

BREWERS

"Jeffrey adds a new dimension to our ballclub. He will become a key part of our offense as well as improve our defense."
-- Dean Taylor, Brewers GM, on signing outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds

"His numbers were good because he was a solid player, not just from playing in Coors Field in Denver's thin air."
-- Taylor

FRANCHISE PLAYER/GENERAL MANAGER

"I couldn't imagine putting on another uniform. When I finish, I'll have worn the uniform for 16 years and that's something I'm proud of. There's a ton of money out there but I'm happy with the money I got. They made it an easy decision."
-- Jeff Bagwell, Astros infielder, on signing a new deal with the Astros

"A lot of people say we didn't make a blockbuster deal, but a lot of times, those blockbuster deals don't make your club a better club. You could add another big bat, but is that what we need? No. We added a veteran catcher that's going to be able to handle our pitching staff. We have young pitchers coming up and they'll need leadership."
-- Bagwell, on trading big bat Mitch Meluskey for Brad Ausmus

UNBINDING CONTRACTS

"It's advantageous to try to sign an extension with me now, because if they wait until I'm close to being a free agent, then offers could come from other teams, offers that maybe I couldn't refuse."
-- Pedro Martinez, Red Sox pitcher, firing a warning shot

THE REST

"My heart has always been in Florida. In my heart I really wanted to come home."
-- Charles Johnson, Marlins catcher, on signing his new contract

"I thought we needed two things. Someone to lead off, and another big bat. And we got both."
-- Dante Bichette, Red Sox out machine, on the Red Sox's off-season acquisitions

If you would like to submit a quote, please email Derek and be sure to include both the quote itself and a URL pointing to the quote.