The Week in Quotes: February 4-17

DUE DILIGENCE

"Clearly some compensation is in order. This tear is categorically old."

—Gord Ash, Blue Jays GM, after getting a doctor’s report on
pitcher Mike Sirotka‘s torn rotator cuff and labrum

"Both sides have assumed a certain amount of risk in making this trade.
Ideally, both teams are satisfied by a trade. Obviously, pending Tuesday’s
exam, Toronto has expressed concern. However, unless we are advised
otherwise by the commissioner’s office, we have no reason to believe that
this trade is anything but a completed deal."

—Ken Williams, White Sox GM

"At the time I was getting examined, I didn’t think there was much to worry
about because they didn’t seem too concerned. But one of my first reactions
after being traded was I must really be hurt because I didn’t think the
trade made much sense."

–Sirotka, Blue Jays pitcher

CLUBHOUSE LEADERSHIP

"There’s a new attitude over here this year. We want to win, and we don’t
need anybody coming in here and talking about your teammates like that. You
don’t do that on winning teams."

—Derek Bell, Pirates outfielder, on John Vander Wal‘s
request to be traded after Bell signed a $5-million contract

"He’s never been an everyday player. If you haven’t been playing everyday,
stick to your role."

–Bell, who played in 10 more games than Vander Wal did in 2000

"This was never about Derek Bell. I respect Derek Bell and this never had
anything to do with him. He was a circumstance that was here. [The problem]
was between the organization and myself."

–Vander Wal, Pirates outfielder

YOUTH MOVEMENT

"There are two different ways to go about a transition. Either you totally
go with young guys. Or put two or three or four in the lineup at a time.
Then you add to the mix. We have obviously chosen that route. It should be
a busy spring training, but every situation has its own rewards."

—Mike Hargrove, Orioles manager, on fielding a lineup featuring two
players under 30 years old

"Bring the kids to see the kids."

–Orioles advertising slogan

CUE HAND-WRINGING

"I looked kind of foolish in some people’s eyes, that I could have him
cheaper last year. But I didn’t want to set the bar. I didn’t want to be
the guy to set the bar. I’m tired of hearing those Yankees this, Yankees
that."

—George Steinbrenner, Yankees owner, on signing
infielder Derek Jeter to a ten-year, $189-million contract

"George Steinbrenner put his money where his heart is."

—Randy Hendricks, relief pitcher Mariano Rivera‘s
primary negotiator, on Rivera’s new four-year, $40-million contract

THE REST

"He reiterated that you have to believe you can win before you can win. I
think he really wants to put it in our heads that if we believe in ourselves,
we don’t have to be the underdogs."

—Randy Wolf, Phillies pitcher, on new manager Larry Bowa‘s
remarks to the team

"At his age, [Sidney Ponson] has pitched a lot of innings in a short number
of years. We feel like this gives him the opportunity to assume a
leadership role and have a breakthrough year."

—Syd Thrift, Orioles Vice President of Baseball Operations, on signing
pitcher Sidney Ponson to a one-year deal

"This is a different ballclub, no question about it. It’s hard. In the last
two years, we’ve lost 90 to 100 home runs. We’re going to have to change
our style of play. Unless we swing a deal for another hitter, we’re going
to have to be a team that executes well offensively and defensively. We
don’t have that margin for error. Other years, a three-run homer could make
up for a lot of ills."

—Lou Piniella, Mariners manager, on how the team will be playing more
"small baseball" after losing infielder Alex Rodriguez

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