TEXAS, YOU SHOULD’VE PUT A RING ON IT
“I'm so excited and happy to hear an organization say we're so excited and happy we got you no matter what the risk is. They're going to help me—with my support system, as well—put things in place like I have with the Rangers. Nothing out of the ordinary; nothing that's straining to the organization or our clubhouse. So, I'm excited to be here—excited to be with people who want me to be here.”
—New Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton, who signed with Anaheim for five years, $125 million. The Angels were late arrivals to the Hamilton sweepstakes, taking a key player from the division rival Rangers. (Alden Gonzalez, MLB.com)

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A-ROD BRACES FOR SURGERY
“I am fully committed to a very hard road back. We've done it before in '09 and it was a great result, both on a personal level and on a team level, more importantly. I take it as a great challenge and I'm excited for the challenge.”
—Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who will have surgery on his left hip in January and could be out until the All-Star break. (ESPN.com)

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METS SIGN DAVID WRIGHT THROUGH 2020
“I just think it's a great statement for everybody to have this guy wrapped up. I knew David wanted to stay. I knew that certainly the organization wanted to keep him and I thought there would be a common ground.”
—Mets manager Terry Collins, on the news that third baseman David Wright agreed to an eight-year contract reportedly worth $138 million. (Anthony DiComo, MLB.com)

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PLENTY OF HURT FEELINGS AFTER MARLINS TRADE
“I’m upset with how things turned out in Miami. Just like the fans in South Florida, I was lied to on multiple occasions. But I’m putting it behind me and looking forward to moving on with my career.”
—Pitcher Mark Buehrle, in a statement issued through his agent, Jeff Berry, on the deal that sent him out of Miami and to the Blue Jays. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reported that Jose Reyes was also upset about the trade after receiving a verbal promise from the Marlins that he would not be traded. (The SportsXchange)

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DEAL LEAVES MARLINS GUTTED
“I do not like this at all. This is the 'winning philosophy?' Then to say it's not about money? What is the motivation? There comes a breaking point. I know how I feel. I can't imagine how the city and the fans feel.”
—Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton on the trade that sent Josh Johnson, Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Emilio Bonifacio and John Buck to Toronto in exchange for Yunel Escobar, Jeff Mathis, Adeiny Hechavarria, Henderson Alvarez, Justin Nicolino and Jake Marisnick. (Peter Gammons, MLB.com)

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PAPI SOUNDS OFF ON FORMER SKIPPER
“No. 1, never bite the hand that feeds you, because in the end that will come back to bite you.  I was one of those players that always showed support for him. In fact, I held a couple of player meetings.”
—Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, responding to comments made by former manager Bobby Valentine that suggested the 36-year-old “decided not to play anymore” after Boston shipped Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett, and Adrian Gonzalez to the Los Angeles Dodgers in an August blockbuster. (Matt Pepin, Boston Globe)

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MARLINS HIRE MIKE REDMOND
“I've been preparing for this day since 1993. Kane County Cougars. Charles Johnson starting catcher, Mike Redmond backup catcher.”
—New Marlins manager Mike Redmond, referring to his first day in the minor leagues, on being the new skipper in Miami. (Joe Frisaro, MLB.com)

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GIANTS SWEEP TIGERS, TAKE SECOND TITLE IN THREE YEARS
“I've had some good clubs, but just the way they set aside their own agenda and asked what's best for the club. We put them in different roles. They never said anything, never complained. They just wanted to win. It makes it a lot easier for a manager when you have a group like this. It's amazing what a group of guys that play as a team can accomplish.”
—San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy, whose Giants trumped the Tigers 4-3 on Sunday night to complete the sweep and take the seventh World Series championship in franchise history. (Chris Haft, MLB.com)

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SAN FRAN’S WIN BRINGS NLCS TO GAME SEVEN
“I just tried to do really the same thing [Game Five starter Barry Zito] did—come out here and set the tone early for us. We jumped on [Chris] Carpenter there early and put some runs on the board. We played a great game. These guys played great defense for me. But I just tried to emulate [Zito], and keep them off the board early and get some momentum going our way.”
—Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong, who pitched seven innings and struck out a career-high nine batters in San Francisco's 6-1 win in Game Six of the NLCS. The decisive seventh game will be played tonight. (Chris Haft, MLB.com)

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MONEYBALL: REDUX ENDS JUST THE SAME
“There’s so much to be proud of. There’s not a single guy in here who can walk away disappointed in what they did or what we did. It’s been great, it’s been crazy, and there are so many guys in here with the capability to be even better.”
—Athletics first baseman Brandon Moss, on the team’s incredible season, ending with a Game Five loss to Justin Verlander in the ALDS. (Susan Slusser, SFGate.com)

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MIGGY TAKES HOME TRIPLE CROWN
“All I could think of then was ‘Wow, I really did it.’ It’s just unbelievable. That’s the only thing that I could say. It was great that I could share it with my teammates.”
—Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who won the first triple crown since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967 after hitting .330 with 44 home runs and 139 RBI. (Drew Sharp, Detroit Free Press)

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DOTEL BEMOANS TIGERS’ LACK OF ENTHUSIASM
“We believe we have the players and talent, but I think we should be more pumped up. I haven't seen that yet. Maybe I'm wrong. But it's what I see. Like I said, we believe, but I need to see one more little thing. I hope I see that in the next 10 days. There's time.”
—Tigers reliever Octavio Dotel, discontented with the level of energy he’s seeing in the clubhouse as Detroit battles for a playoff spot. (Tom Gage, Detroit News)

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