AT THE DEADLINE
“This was an opportunity we could not pass up… Anytime you can add a player of Raul Mondesi’s caliber for the stretch run, you make that deal. Raul has been one of the most coveted players on the market and we’re thrilled to have him.”
–Joe Garagiola Jr., Diamondbacks general manager, on acquiring Raul Mondesi (Arizona Republic)
“We know the Yankees have a great ballclub–not a good ballclub, a great ballclub… And we knew they were going to take steps and we didn’t want to sit around and wait.”
–Theo Epstein, Red Sox general manager (Boston Herald)
“Our front office has done all you could ask them to do. It shows they care, that they realize we’re busting our tails to win here.”
—Tim Wakefield, Red Sox pitcher (Boston Herald)
“It’s phenomenal… I think Theo Epstein has done the best job of any general manager this year. He’s done a great job of bringing in baseball players.”
—Kevin Millar, Red Sox infielder (Boston Herald)
“We feel very good about him… He’s a top of the lineup-type hitter who can do very well offensively or defensively.”
–Dave Littlefield, Pirates general manager, on the newly acquired Freddy Sanchez from the Red Sox (AP)
“It sounds like it’s a repeat of the ’50s where the Yankees used to go to the Kansas City A’s and take their players and give them money so they could survive.”
–J.P. Ricciardi, Blue Jays general manager, on the current structure of the game (ESPN.com)
“They got money. We don’t have the ability to throw a million dollars at someone just to get a player that we like… Those people have bigger budgets than us and unlimited resources in a lot of ways, and I think they will always have the upper hand.
–Ricciardi, on teams like the Red Sox and Yankees
“That’s why for us the most important thing has to be player development and scouting. That’s why organizations like ours, and where we are at, it’s going to take a little longer to turn things around because you have to rely on your younger players coming through your system.”
–Ricciardi
“It’s one of the tougher ones I’ve had to do because I like Sidney a lot.”
–Mike Hargrove, Orioles manager, who told former-Oriole Sidney Ponson about being traded to the Giants (AP)
“I’ve got a job to do, and that’s part of it. I’ve got a special feeling for Sidney, and I will in 20 years–unless he blows up my house or something.”
–Hargrove
SECOND THOUGHTS
“If the Rangers found they could be better off without me, whether now or a year or two down the road, I’d be willing to sit down and talk.”
—Alex Rodriguez, Rangers shortstop (ESPN.com)
“I’d look at any options… I would redo my deal and make it best for our owner and for everyone.”
–Rodriguez
“When I signed here, I thought we’d make a hard turn toward improvement. Obviously, we’re in a very tough division. I want what’s best for Mr. Hicks, if it were down to the Rangers improving or me being happy.”
–Rodriguez
“It’s hard for me to respond… Alex is a foundation piece. It would be unfair for me to comment on that at this moment. At this juncture right now, we’re not even thinking about that.”
–John Hart, Rangers general manager, on Rodriguez’ comments (ESPN.com)
“It’s just something that, being my third year here, you want to see improvement, and I don’t know if we have improved over three years… It may be a year or two down the road. And obviously, I don’t want to be the one that handicaps this team.”
–Rodriguez (ESPN.com)
“This has frustrated everybody… Losing is something you never want to get used to. At 28, I’m very young. I want to see improvement, and I’m not happy.”
–Rodriguez
THE REST
“It just goes to show you how stupid won-lost records are. It’s the most overrated stat in baseball.”
—Jarrod Washburn, Angels pitcher, after losing 2-1 to Barry Zito and the A’s (AP)
“I mean, there’s no question that Zito has pitched better than his record indicates. That’s why sometimes you’ve got to look deeper into numbers and look at the rest of his numbers. They’re not much different than what he had last year.”
–Washburn
“I don’t fall into that trap of looking at wins and losses, because it’s not indicative… I look more at ERA and stuff like that.”
—Barry Zito, A’s pitcher (AP)
“I was just trying to have good at-bats like the guys in front of me… I was just trying to drive some runs in. I was fortunate to get some balls up in the air and they carried out. I was just trying to hit line drives, but tonight they went out.”
—Bill Mueller, Red Sox infielder, on hitting grand slams from both sides of the plate, plus a solo homer, in one game (AP)
“You never come to the ballpark thinking you’re going to do anything like this… It didn’t turn out like an ordinary night. I’m very humbled by this.”
–Mueller
“This year wasn’t for Lenny Harris. Maybe next year will be better.”
—Lenny Harris, former Cubs outfielder, on being released (MLB.com)
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