February 2, 2015

The Week in Quotes

January 27-February 1, 2015

by Nick Bacarella, Chris Mosch and Nick Wheatley-Schaller

Around the League

“I don’t think we got rid of anyone that was an issue in our clubhouse. I wouldn’t say everyone got along with everyone that is gone, but I would say there was definitely more positives than negatives with everyone that we got rid of. If you bring in a super clubhouse guy, that’s a positive. I don’t know the guys we brought in enough to know that we brought in some amazing person.”
—Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke, on the notion that the front office has used addition by subtraction this offseason to improve the clubhouse chemistry. (Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times)

"We were optimistic—most people were optimistic about our team last year. We had some injuries. We had some people fall backward. We had some things happen… But we had some people step up. We believe we've got the talent. We've got two premium players in Tulo and CarGo. We've got maybe the best third baseman in the game [in two-time Gold Glover Nolan Arenado]. We've got Gold Glove guys scattered around. You've got some young left-handed hitters that are good. We feel we have the talent to win.”
—Rockies chairman and CEO Dick Monfort, on the Rockies' ability to contend in 2015. (Thomas Harding, MLB.com)

“For me, I keep my focus on doing what I have to do to get better every day and continue to improve on some of the adjustments I was able to make over the course of the year mechanically with my swing. It’s been something I’ve struggled with over the years, consistency with my mechanics. When you go up and down between the major leagues and Triple-A as a young player, there are a lot of things that come with that. It’s a grind mentally, and it was something that took me a few years to really put into perspective and understand going into last season the adjustments I wanted to make, and I’m going to continue to make over the course of my career to be successful at this level.”
—Outfielder Travis Snider, who was acquired by the Orioles last week for Stephen Tarpley and a PTBNL. (Eduardo A. Encina, Baltimore Sun)

“We are still in a phase where a lot could happen in the next few months. It could get a lot better, it could slow down. So we won't know until we go through a throwing program. But I'm preparing every part of my body to be ready for Opening Day, and that's all I can do right now.”
—Orioles catcher Matt Wieters, on his recovery from Tommy John surgery that ended his 2014 campaign in June. (Brittany Ghiroli, MLB.com)

“The truth of the matter is, the system we have in baseball those who get to that sixth year and survive it typically get compensated the best. And you have to get there. We’ve worked with A.J. Burnett, Mike Hampton, Cliff Lee and even Andrew Miller this offseason. You have to get to that finish line and cross it before you find out what your ultimate value is in the open market, which is what free agency is all about. But at the end of the day, we owe it to the White Sox to at least consider anything that they would want to talk about. I have a lot of respect for the White Sox. They have put in a lot of work to make that club better. With all due respect for [chairman Jerry] Mr. Reinsdorf, and to [general manager] Rick Hahn who has done a heck of a job and [vice president] Kenny Williams — I told those guys, ‘any time you want to talk I’ll listen.’ Jeff and I will certainly talk but it’s difficult. You guys know the situation, you know the landscape.”
—Agent Mark Rodgers, on the possibility of his client, Jeff Samardzija, signing an extension with the White Sox (Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times)

"The beauty of this is that as far as direct oversight over Ruben, that's Pat [Gillick]. Whatever we did wrong the last few years, blame me and give Ruben and Pat a clean sheet to figure it out from here… Look, it's a challenging time for Ruben. I think it's great that he has somebody with Pat's background to lean on to help him through this. We want to get back as quickly as we can. That's the goal."
—Phillies chairman David Montgomery, on moving to his new position while Pat Gillick replaces him as team president. Montgomery recently returned from a five month medical leave of absence (Jake Kaplan, Philadelphia Inquirer)

"[Suzuki] understands going into camp he'll be valued as a left-handed bat off the bench and fourth outfielder. This guy's age says he's 41. His body says he's about 30 or less. Tremendous shape…He can help you if it's pinch-hitting late, if it's pinch-running late, if it's double switches or starting in any of the three outfield spots."
—Marlins general manager Dan Jennings on outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, recently signed by Miami (Juan C. Rodriguez, Sun Sentinel)

“It's going to be different than what I'm used to, but it's exciting. We've got a whole different team. Obviously as a person and a friend, it's tough to see your friends leave—especially with Jason leaving. We've got Shelby [Miller] here now and we've got a lot of young talent. I think we're going to surprise a lot of people.”
—Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, on his outlook heading into the 2015 season. (Mark Bowman, MLB.com)

"I don't think anyone wants to go to arbitration. I thought it was important to not to be part of that process. I don't want [Reds general manager] Walt [Jocketty] saying anything bad about me. It was definitely nice to get this done... I had limited phone opportunities on the honeymoon. I had it for a little bit each day, so I was able to get the message. I didn't have time to call my parents, call (wife) Kira, call anybody. It was a quick text, 'Hey, everything's done. We're all set.' It's funny, I was on the bus."
—Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco, on signing a four-year, $30 million extension with Cincinnati (C. Trent Rosecrans, Cincinnati Enquirer)

“For me, in 2008 when I was diagnosed, it was never a baseball issue. It was an off-the-field, everyday-life thing. There were a lot of times when I was young where teachers had brought it up and kind of mentioned it, but we never really went down that road. So when I was diagnosed in 2008, I was prescribed Adderall and realized what a difference it made in my everyday life. For me, it was kind of the reason I went down that road. I was a little overwhelmed with everything that was going on last year with [my left oblique strain]. There were a lot of different things that were taking my thoughts away from baseball—and it was a mistake that I made that I wish I could undo, but I can't. So, I just got to move forward.”
—Orioles first baseman Chris Davis, on being suspended for Adderall use after failing to get a therapeutic use exemption to use the drug to treat ADHD (Brittany Ghiroli, MLB.com)

“Going into the playoffs, I thought we were the best team in baseball. Obviously we didn't prove it. The year before, I wasn't that confident. This time, I thought it was our series to lose. To say we're better than that, I don't know if you can say that without seeing us play.”
—Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke, on being knocked out in the NLDS in 2014 (Ken Gurnick, MLB.com)

“I have long considered myself a Players' administrator with a complete belief that the Players are not only the face of the game but they provide the sport with its heart and soul. I share the players' and Tony's views on the state of the game, especially as they relate to what active and inactive players are doing to help develop the game, widen its appeal and excite the next generation of players, while ensuring the integrity of the competition on the field is maintained.”
—Former Mets and Padres executive Omar Minaya, who has taken a job with the MLBPA as senior advisor to executive director Tony Clark. (Mike Vorkunov, NJ.com)

“I smile when people think I'm doing stuff for the school. They've done more for me than I can ever even think of.”
—White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale, who had his number retired by his alma mater, Florida Gulf Coast University. (Adam Berry, MLB.com)

“This is a pretty good gig. I’m doing what I love to do. And I feel a responsibility to get this organization back to where it should be.”
—Twins general manager Terry Ryan, indicating that he has no plans to retire from his current role any time soon. (Jim Souhan, Minneapolis Star Tribune)

“That is so cool. I got a Babe Ruth bat in my hands. I can spend a while in here.”
—Former Astros second baseman Craig Biggio, who recently went on his first tour of the Baseball Hall of Fame. (Jose de Jesus Ortiz, Houston Chronicle)

Twitter

Jayson Werth has apparently made some new friends:

Please let this Jayson Werth autograph be real (via @coach_tommyg) http://t.co/AgdY5ShQru pic.twitter.com/baxESeN1Tb

— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) January 31, 2015

Nick Bacarella is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
Click here to see Nick's other articles. You can contact Nick by clicking here
Chris Mosch is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @chris_mosch
Click here to see Chris's other articles. You can contact Chris by clicking here
Nick Wheatley-Schaller is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @neastws
Click here to see Nick's other articles. You can contact Nick by clicking here