Mark Shapiro Improve Quotations

Our original plan in the off-season was to slate the No. 5 spot in the rotation for a younger player (Jason Davis or Fausto Carmona) and to spend money to upgrade elsewhere. When we were unable to get some other things done, we saw an opportunity to improve the team by signing Jason. The young guys still could end up playing a role for us in 2006.

There wasn't anything I felt significantly improved the production we're getting at those positions with a player we could retain for multiple years. There weren't that many guys who were a fit, and we weren't able to get those guys for what we thought was a reasonable price.

As a GM, you always want to improve your team, so you are disappointed at any juncture in time when you are unable to get something done,

There's some things left in his swing that he could still improve upon, but nothing dramatic. He's not a finished product right now. But he's going to be a good player.

We want to improve our readiness and preparedness for April. The core of our team is in place. If we feel it's easy, we want to make our decisions sooner.