Jim Duquette Player Quotations

Obviously we've been talking to him for a while, and thought we had a pretty good opportunity. I'm not sure about the other opportunities he was weighing vs. ours. He's a proven major league player that's had a track record and really it's a no-risk situation for the club.

Obviously, he's coming off a down year, and normally you don't get a player who has his potential for two minor leaguers. In fact, you never do. Our feeling was it was a worthwhile risk for us to take.

What you don't want to do is put too much pressure on them, too much added expectations. They had enough expectations in New York. I don't know if you can ever ease a player into the New York scene. It's something that a guy like Carlos Beltran, Mike Piazza, Cliff Floyd, they can take the pressure off the two young guys so they can go about their business and develop at their own pace.

I think we are a victim of the fact that (Simon) has only one (client). He's had only one player for the length of his career, and he doesn't have a lot of experience dealing with this type of language.

We got hold of the player, and the player said he had a change of heart and for family reasons wanted to play in the National League because of the trips to San Diego and Los Angeles, which are close to home. I'll believe that over the other one.

I'll believe what the player said and give him the benefit of the doubt.

He's the ideal player you'd want your daughter to date. I can name you some in this game I wouldn't want a daughter to date.