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HARTFORD, CONN (AP)- The following is the transcript from the Hartford Whalers GM BDub press conference following the May 14th game vs Maine:
BDub: Thanks everybody for being here. I know there are many questions out there about the state of Hartford baseball and how we plan on turning things around. So let’s get the questions started.
Q: Hi, Alan Watkins from The Hartford Courant. What do you think has caused the slow start this season?
BDub: I think it’s been a few things. The hitting has had a slow start and the bullpen hasn’t been very strong for us. We feel we have a strong starting staff here but once those guys leave the mound, it seems like we struggle to close out games. It’s been a tale of two seasons on offense so far. Last season we could get on base and score runs. This season, it’s been the opposite. It’s easy to chalk it up to a slow start but I think that excuse only lasts for so long. We need results, especially with teams like Pawtucket and Pittsburgh in the division. You give teams like that a lead and it’s such an uphill battle.
Q: Tom Sawyer from The Hartford Tribune. How would you rate the Free Agent signings this past offseason?
BDub: Well, I would rate them good. I mean, it’s hard to say 33 games into a season what kind of player you have but I feel like we improved things offensively here. Our focus was to build on the offensive success that we had last season. Adding Perkins and Del Rio I think makes us stronger.
Q: John Goldman, The Connecticut Jewish Ledger. What about not addressing the bullpen?
BDub: I felt that our bullpen would bounce back. And I still do. I know Bonilla had a lousy season, but players bounce back. Going into last season he did well for us and I didn’t have any reason to think that he would bounce back from a down year. The back end of our bullpen is strong too. Ham, Bell and Cravalho are all solid options. Now, did we look at options? Yes, of course we did. You have to understand we are also up against other teams with needs and sometimes you get out bid in the whole process. Personal preference for the players comes into play too. I know the first things fans want to ask is “Why?” “Why didn’t we get bullpen help?” It’s not as easy and just picking a player and submitting a contract offer and signing the player, especially when other teams are involved in negotiations.
Q: Haywood Jablowmee, The East Hartford Gazette. Is there anything on the horizon as far as trades?
BDub: That’s something the organization doesn’t talk about publicly. I will say though, it’s a long season. We haven’t had the best start but there is time to turn this thing around.
Q: Thomas Gibson, West Hartford News. What about any call-ups from the farm system?
BDub: There has been a bit of that already. Marco Aguirre debuted as the number five starter but was moved to the bullpen to make way for Tristan Dryden on the starting staff. I think very highly of those two and hopefully we will see some results from their contribution soon. As of this moment though, there isn’t anything eminent.
Q: Angelo Rodriguez, La Voz Hispana de Connecticut. The annual draft is approaching. How does the organization feel about this year class? And who are you looking at specifically?
BDub: There is talent there, for sure. Picking at thirteen isn’t a bad spot but a lot can happen in front of us. We are currently preparing, looking at scouting reports and things like that but it’s hard to figure out who may or may not be there for us. As for any specifics regarding players, I can’t comment on that. That’s more of an in house thing the front office will talk about once we get more into scouting the draft class.
Adam Franklin, Hartford City News-Times. Any news on BDub Graphix? New projects?
BDub: No, not any news really. We usually release things through the league and not in this kind of environment. As for any new projects? There is always something going on but now really isn’t the time to discuss those kinds of things.
Q: Shawn Harrington, ESPN News. How do you feel the new Commissioner is doing?
BDub: Z is a good guy. He is doing a solid job. I think it was a solid transfer from Matt to Z. I think he is the right kind of guy to lead this league into a bright future.
Q: Mark Smith, The Hartford Sporting News. Is there any truth to the rumor that the organization is looking to move the Single A affiliate, Miami Beach?
BDub: Not at this time. That is something that has been discussed in the past but it never went anywhere. We want to have our affiliations spread pretty evenly across the country and I think we have that currently. Plus, I think our youngsters respond a little bit better in the tropical climate.
With that though, I must draw this press conference to a close. I appreciate the questions and for all those making the trip out to the stadium for this. Take it easy, fellas.
BDub: Thanks everybody for being here. I know there are many questions out there about the state of Hartford baseball and how we plan on turning things around. So let’s get the questions started.
Q: Hi, Alan Watkins from The Hartford Courant. What do you think has caused the slow start this season?
BDub: I think it’s been a few things. The hitting has had a slow start and the bullpen hasn’t been very strong for us. We feel we have a strong starting staff here but once those guys leave the mound, it seems like we struggle to close out games. It’s been a tale of two seasons on offense so far. Last season we could get on base and score runs. This season, it’s been the opposite. It’s easy to chalk it up to a slow start but I think that excuse only lasts for so long. We need results, especially with teams like Pawtucket and Pittsburgh in the division. You give teams like that a lead and it’s such an uphill battle.
Q: Tom Sawyer from The Hartford Tribune. How would you rate the Free Agent signings this past offseason?
BDub: Well, I would rate them good. I mean, it’s hard to say 33 games into a season what kind of player you have but I feel like we improved things offensively here. Our focus was to build on the offensive success that we had last season. Adding Perkins and Del Rio I think makes us stronger.
Q: John Goldman, The Connecticut Jewish Ledger. What about not addressing the bullpen?
BDub: I felt that our bullpen would bounce back. And I still do. I know Bonilla had a lousy season, but players bounce back. Going into last season he did well for us and I didn’t have any reason to think that he would bounce back from a down year. The back end of our bullpen is strong too. Ham, Bell and Cravalho are all solid options. Now, did we look at options? Yes, of course we did. You have to understand we are also up against other teams with needs and sometimes you get out bid in the whole process. Personal preference for the players comes into play too. I know the first things fans want to ask is “Why?” “Why didn’t we get bullpen help?” It’s not as easy and just picking a player and submitting a contract offer and signing the player, especially when other teams are involved in negotiations.
Q: Haywood Jablowmee, The East Hartford Gazette. Is there anything on the horizon as far as trades?
BDub: That’s something the organization doesn’t talk about publicly. I will say though, it’s a long season. We haven’t had the best start but there is time to turn this thing around.
Q: Thomas Gibson, West Hartford News. What about any call-ups from the farm system?
BDub: There has been a bit of that already. Marco Aguirre debuted as the number five starter but was moved to the bullpen to make way for Tristan Dryden on the starting staff. I think very highly of those two and hopefully we will see some results from their contribution soon. As of this moment though, there isn’t anything eminent.
Q: Angelo Rodriguez, La Voz Hispana de Connecticut. The annual draft is approaching. How does the organization feel about this year class? And who are you looking at specifically?
BDub: There is talent there, for sure. Picking at thirteen isn’t a bad spot but a lot can happen in front of us. We are currently preparing, looking at scouting reports and things like that but it’s hard to figure out who may or may not be there for us. As for any specifics regarding players, I can’t comment on that. That’s more of an in house thing the front office will talk about once we get more into scouting the draft class.
Adam Franklin, Hartford City News-Times. Any news on BDub Graphix? New projects?
BDub: No, not any news really. We usually release things through the league and not in this kind of environment. As for any new projects? There is always something going on but now really isn’t the time to discuss those kinds of things.
Q: Shawn Harrington, ESPN News. How do you feel the new Commissioner is doing?
BDub: Z is a good guy. He is doing a solid job. I think it was a solid transfer from Matt to Z. I think he is the right kind of guy to lead this league into a bright future.
Q: Mark Smith, The Hartford Sporting News. Is there any truth to the rumor that the organization is looking to move the Single A affiliate, Miami Beach?
BDub: Not at this time. That is something that has been discussed in the past but it never went anywhere. We want to have our affiliations spread pretty evenly across the country and I think we have that currently. Plus, I think our youngsters respond a little bit better in the tropical climate.
With that though, I must draw this press conference to a close. I appreciate the questions and for all those making the trip out to the stadium for this. Take it easy, fellas.
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