Brian Sabean Step Quotations

I don't see either route to be a surefire way to accomplish what we want to do. We're going to be challenged in the market and challenged in terms of trades. But as I step back and review our situation, the division, the league and the rest of baseball, we're in a heck of a lot better shape than some other teams.

(Alfonzo) may have to take a step back and wait for playing time, ... He is capable of playing second base also. If he's in that role, perhaps our team is deeper, if he can spell people.

Him taking swings in a college batting cage is a long way from doing baseball work with us, ... It's just another step in his rehab. To what extent this is of any significance -- until I'm told otherwise -- it's just part of the exercise regimen he's going through. Once he's accelerated to the point where the doctors are ready to turn him over to us, then he can do more meaningful and substantial baseball activities. But for now, this is just another step.

It's definitely a day-to-day situation, but the good thing is (Bonds) is building on what they're asking him to do. He's not standing still and he's not taking steps back. He's going forward.

It's reasonable to think he can play 120 games. Now, will we be in a position to have to rest him and be conscious that he's going to come in some days cranky and not be able to go? The next step is to get him in spring training and get him in a position to be able to do that. I think he wants that.

What that means in the greater scheme of things, I'll know more tomorrow. The knee was tolerant. He was sore in the obvious places, being the hands and upper torso. It's a good first step toward getting back to baseball activities. ... I'm presuming it's a baby-step type of thing.

I think it's reasonable to think he can play 120 games. I know we're going to have to rest him, and some days he'll come in cranky and unable to go. The next step is get him out in spring training and get him in position to do what I think he wants to do. Whether that happens or not, only God knows, but I think the effort is going to be there.

If we have a chance to upgrade, we're going to have to do it, ... This roster's going to have to be much stronger one through 25. Hopefully we have some credibility from our past, but our present isn't too attractive. I hope they still want to come to San Francisco and understand this is a one-year step back.

Until both those folks, even with him doing this activity, release him to us, it's in their hands. I have full faith in how they've handled it and where this thing's going under their guidance, ... Yeah, I'm hopeful, but I can't guarantee anything. This is definitely a day-to-day situation. Again, building on what they're asking, he's not standing still and he's not taking steps back.

They'll be allowed to come into camp early, and the only people (who'll miss that much time) are people who play for the final two teams. I don't know if there will be a big question about Barry's knee. He's agreed to play as a DH, which is a different ballgame. We'll take it one step at a time and check off all the boxes.