The Damon-Grieve-Hernandez trade
"That’s part of the risk you take when you go into something like this to
make us much better. This is a dimension that this team hasn’t had for the
last two years. We haven’t had this type of player probably since Rickey
(Henderson) was in his prime."
— Billy Beane, Athletics GM, on trading outfielder Ben Grieve for
outfielder Johnny Damon as part of a three-team, nine-player deal
"It means we’ve got to get a steal sign now."
— Beane
"The timetable was running out, and that’s what dictated this. If we had
felt for one minute that we could sign Johnny to a long-term deal, then
obviously we would not have made this deal."
— Allard Baird, Royals GM, on trading Damon for reliever Roberto
Hernandez
"We could not pass the opportunity to get a young bat like Ben’s. In our
opinion, the sky’s the limit for what he can accomplish at the plate."
— Chuck LaMar, Devil Rays GM, on trading Hernandez for Grieve
"I’m not disappointed in any way or sad that I’m leaving Oakland. I’m just
looking forward to getting to spring training and getting started."
— Grieve, on going to the Devil Rays
"I’ve seen Jason hit with guys on base before, and he is one of the best at
it. Hopefully, we can improve on his statistics as well as mine."
— Damon, on joining Athletics first baseman Jason Giambi
"Heck, I might drive in 170 now."
— Giambi
"On paper, when we go to New York on Opening Day we may not be as good a
team on the field as last year, but we’re in a better position to win games."
— Baird
SIGNINGS OF INTEREST
"He wants to beat the Yankees. Why else would he sign with the Red Sox?"
— Dan Duquette, Red Sox GM, on pitcher David Cone‘s reasons for
signing a voidable, low-value contract with the Red Sox
"David Cone knows how to win a game. He’s won some big games in his career."
— Duquette
"It gets my juices flowing just thinking about it. There’s a passion for
baseball in Boston, with all the history in Fenway Park. This will be a
chance to see the other side of a great rivalry."
— Cone
"We’re talking about an extraordinary talent here. He really has no
weaknesses."
— Gerry Hunsicker, Astros GM, on signing outfielder Richard Hidalgo to a
new contract
"I (am) so happy to work out a good deal. I’m happy to be an Astro. I just
want to help my team."
— Hidalgo
"Last year, I had a lot of health problems. My production went down a
little bit because of the injuries. But I’m going to come back and put up
great numbers. I’m excited."
— Juan Gonzalez, Indians outfielder, on taking a one-year deal reportedly
worth $10M
"His health and his back are non-issues."
— John Hart, Indians general manager, on the risk involved in signing Gonzalez
QUOTES OF THE YEAR COME EARLY
"I don’t want to sound cocky, but no one [on the Sox] has better stuff than
me except Pedro."
— Paxton Crawford, Red Sox pitcher
"I wish they gave the money to me."
— Rey Ordonez, Mets infielder, on Texas infielder Alex Rodriguez‘s humungo-deal
THE REST
"I think Ray (Lankford) can do a good job against righthanders but we’re
looking for somebody against lefthanders to hit behind Mark McGwire who’s
respected. Bobby Bonilla is respected. A lot of people are afraid of him."
— Tony LaRussa, Cardinals manager
"We’re working on it, and it’s moving along. Hopefully, we’ll have
something done before spring training. With all the trade stuff this week,
things have kind of slowed down, but as far as I’m concerned, I have a
contract to play next year, that’s the way I’m approaching it. And I’m
excited about playing."
— Giambi, on his contract status
"This camp is a good idea. It lets them know who’s fat and who’s not."
— Mike Williams, Pirates reliever, on early camps
"The great players don’t get hurt by being rushed."
— Larry Rothschild, Devil Rays manager
"Certainly David Wells will be missed. He was an important guy for us, but
it’s time for him to move on."
— Gord Ash, Blue Jays general manager, on trading pitcher David Wells for
pitcher Mike Sirotka as part of a five-player deal
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