We're kidding ourselves if we say this problem is not happening. Look at the before and after shots, at the size of some of these players from the '90s to now. It's a joke.
He is a tremendous everyday player who's an offensive force and a solid defender. He's somebody that plays the game as hard as anybody in the game and you can write him in the lineup every single day.
He's had to learn in the big leagues, which is tough. He's faced probably as much adversity as any young player in the game is going to face.
Players with other clubs don't take us lightly. The Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals, if we're fortunate to get there, I don't think they're going to take us lightly.
He's a very versatile player and a switch-hitter. I think we missed having him when Greene got hurt. Plus, he's a quality guy in the clubhouse.
Any time you get a chance to get your hands on a first-round pick, you're interested, because there was enough talent there at one point for the player to be drafted highly.
Any time you lose a player the caliber of a Mark Loretta, it's a big blow. However we are encouraged that Mark did not need to have a full reconstruction of the thumb and that he will make a full recovery to be back on the field before too long.
This is certainly a big night in San Diego. I can't put into words what it means to the community, his teammates and the minor-league players we have in our system.
The way you get a good non-roster player for less than a million dollars is after a bad season. It's a no-lose situation for us. If he makes the club, we got a solid veteran guy and a bargain price. If he doesn't, it won't cost us a dime.
I want him to keep grinding, but he hasn't done anything to make us believe he shouldn't have the job. He's been by far our best player in camp.