Josh Byrnes Quotations

We're going to take it right down to the wire to make that decision.

We've got him on a one-year contract and we need to be smart about how we use him. But we feel like when he's on the mound he can be one of the very best pitchers in baseball.

We are all anxious to see him this spring and monitor his development in our organization.

Leaving Boston was not easy. It was a high level of passion to win, a unique rivalry, a baseball operations staff which was a great, great place to work. That's what I need to learn here and need to recreate here.

So many of the people and circumstances here make this a great fit, and it feels like a dream job.

I hate to do too much of a diagnosis without talking to everyone. I think there are some pitching needs. There were some positive steps at the end with the bullpen getting settled. But defending your own turf is a big issue. Winning at home and doing better at home are important things.

He fits the club very well. He provides a great deal of energy, he can play defense and run the bases and he hits left-handed pitching very well.

We feel like he's relatively close but we also don't want to rush his progression to the major leagues just because we're so happy to get him.

He's a little unorthodox in his delivery, but obviously has a great arm. Valverde has the stuff.

He's determined to do better this year and it could impact his contractual future. I think that's healthy determination, but no one's pushing him here.

He's a strong candidate to be in our rotation. We have six guys, I think, who can legitimately expect to be in competition for five spots. But he pitched well, and this process sort of recognizes what he already accomplished.

He's fit in. He's mature beyond his years both physically and mentally. He's got a little pop. He's impressive. We didn't expect him to come in here and be overwhelmed by it.

He's done everything there is to do in the Minor Leagues. Right now, there's just no spot for him in the big leagues.

He's pitched a lot of innings in his life and as with any pitcher it's not a perfect shoulder, but it's one we felt was a worthwhile risk. We've got to be smart in the way we use him but when he's right we believe he's one of the best pitchers in baseball.

I think there's strength in numbers. And I think that we've covered ourselves with the rotation just by virtue of the fact that there's strength in numbers.

I think there are many qualities. One, he's arguably the best defensive second baseman in the game. Two, he brings a great deal of energy to the field. And three, he's also a pretty good offensive player for the position.

Our fans are going to love this guy.

I think more than half will get knocked out between now and Tuesday.

I think maybe as expected we have pitching questions. But we also have numbers. We're hoping we have as many answers for those questions as we can find.

We had a need, and we hope it's filled for several years now.

We of course support the policy in place, and this is a reminder that we need to continue to educate our players.

We like Jason Bulger. But we think the way our staff sets up now, one of the strengths is the depth. Cutting him is something we debated, but you have to give up something to get something.

Brandon has certainly earned this contract. His three years thus far have been tremendous. He's really one of the more unheralded elite pitchers in baseball.

Eric brings a lot of energy to the field and the clubhouse every day and I know our fans are going to enjoy the enthusiasm with which he plays the game.

This is a significant step for our organization and we look forward to seeing this talented young man in uniform.

This deal gives us some short-term help ? two pitchers that can help our club ? and in our minds a future everyday front-line center fielder who's not that far away, which is hard to find.

This is the type of contract a club doesn't have to do. We had Brandon under control through arbitration for four more years, but it is something we wanted to do.

There's been some. I think as we get closer to the end, teams are a little more direct in their communication. He's had a great camp. He's had a good showing, top to bottom.

It really helps accelerate the decision-making process and the building process.

The offense isn't really clicking yet. It's probably too early (to draw conclusions), but as we know, the two teams we played were really pretty good. We want to be in every game and that's been the case. The two lopsided games (a 12-5 victory at Colorado and a 7-0 victory at Milwaukee) were both in our favor.

It's better than I expected. So many guys are throwing the ball well the first week.

It was a good exchange. It is important for any player of his stature to hear a fair assessment of where he stands and where the organization is heading.

It was obvious when I first arrived here how important Brandon was to this pitching staff and one of our immediate goals was to make sure he remained in a Diamondback uniform as we look to the future.

I'm excited that we were able to bring Miguel Batista back to the Valley, where he truly established himself during his first stint here, while also adding a Gold Glove infielder in Orlando Hudson.

I like our numbers. We have a month to figure out the right combination, and obviously we feel Craig will be healthy.

It has to be the right player. You don't do it just to do it.

He's just a man. The ball really jumps off his bat. It's unusual for someone that age.

He's mature beyond his years, both ways, physically and mentally. We didn't expect him to come in here and be overwhelmed by it. I think he'll learn a lot and he'll take the lessons and hopefully be in camp to win a job sooner rather than later.

He became available because they have a wealth of infield talent. He has been a guy who has been a well-regarded prospect. He's a guy we like who is a middle infield player and potentially plays both sides of the bag and can switch-hit. He gives you offense and defense in the middle of the field, which is something we're always trying to find.

He absolutely knows what he wants. He's very direct and to the point. He is certainly the best GM in my lifetime, and maybe of all time.

He pitched well (as a starter) in Arizona and his first year in Toronto. He did well, and that at this point is a greater area of need for our club.

The doctors spoke and we're comfortable with the information.