BRINGING A WINNER TO TAMPA
"I think this is the biggest single move to win–to win–that this organization has made. No one (involved with the Rays) has lost the passion to win. We lost the momentum, and Lou starts that momentum, and we need that momentum."
—Chuck LaMar, Devil Rays general manager, on the hiring of manager Lou Piniella
"I've gotten a chance to look at their organization and at the same time talk to Chuck and Vince about how they perceive things. I've come away satisfied that this organization wants to win and get things on track."
—Lou Piniella, Devil Rays manager
"The reason for leaving Seattle was the family consideration, and certainly this job will take care of that. And honestly also, too, the challenge of doing basically what we did in Seattle 10 years ago. If my situation works out with Tampa Bay, we hope to do a likewise job. And I think things went pretty well in Seattle."
–Piniella
"Vince told me that he was tired of losing. That's impressive. Some times, an organization can get into a malaise when that becomes acceptable."
–Piniella
THE CLEVELAND YOUTH MOVEMENT CONTINUES
"The players who don't know Eric Wedge will get to know what he's all about."
—Eric Wedge, Indians manager
"I'm an aggressive person by nature … I'll feel the moment, and if I need a softer touch, I can do that. But I'm always going to stand up for my players."
–Wedge
"I'm flattered with that comparison."
–Wedge, on being compared to the sometimes temperamental Lou Piniella
"Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But I don't think anybody is a loser here. I'm glad I got the opportunity. I think I filled a gigantic hole, and I feel proud about it. The one thing I'm not going to have is a pity party."
—Joel Skinner, former Indians manager
"The majors is a whole different story. There are so many more things that you have to deal with. It's all about winning. You can be a lousy manager, and if your players play good, then you're going to look good."
—John McDonald, Indians second baseman, on the hiring of manager Eric Wedge
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND
"Art has a presence that's going to be great for our team. He's a tremendous motivator who put together an outstanding record at Oakland. Art is the man who can take us back to the playoffs."
—Steve Phillips, Mets general manager
"I see the Mets as a tremendous opportunity. The ownership is committed to winning, and the nucleus of players is there to turn things around from last season."
—Art Howe, Mets manager
"Certainly there are teams that would be interested in stuff. Any opportunity that might present itself, I would listen to, but I'm not looking to trade Jorge Posada, because he's an All-Star catcher."
—Brian Cashman, Yankees general manager
"He doesn't have a no-trade clause. I'm certainly open to listening, but if someone wants to inquire about him, they'd better come with frankincense and myrrh and make me an offer I can't refuse."
–Cashman, on the possibility of trading Posada
TESTING THE MARKET
"I have no idea what the demand for him might turn out to be in an industry that lost $800 million this year."
—Peter Magowan, Giants owner, on how much money Jeff Kent will be offered as a free agent
"It's up to Jeff. If he wants to seek his fortune elsewhere, it's a free country. There's not much we can do about it if he doesn't want to be here. These are all things we have to find out pretty soon."
–Magowan
"I'd hate to see him in a Dodger uniform. I don't think he'd look very good in a Dodger uniform, from my perspective. Of course, they might have a different perspective."
–Magowan
"Like I said, I'm going to wait until this is over with, hopefully, after we win, take some time off–a few days–do like I always do, just go to the mountain top someplace and think about it, ask for a sign. I'll come down and do whatever I was told to do."
—Dusty Baker, Giants manager, on how he plans to handle free-agency
THE REST
"To retire, there's no such word in the Old or New Testament, so that's my rule book."
—Syd Thrift, Orioles general manager
"I'm not going to get down and be defeated by anything. I'm going to believe in myself. I take one interview at a time. I can't go into Seattle feeling frustrated. I feel fine. I might not sound very enthusiastic right now, but it's been a tough two weeks. When you're rejected time after time, it can't feel too good, but I'm tougher than that."
—Willie Randolph, Yankees third base coach, on his search for a managerial position
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