Allard Baird Good Quotations

Having a good camp is one thing, a lot of people have good camps. But his maturity level, his presence, his professionalism and respect for the game ... those are things that really stand out.

He comes in where he's got to be beat out for the fourth spot in the outfield. He has some speed and defense, and a pretty good approach to the plate.

I think he would be a pretty good addition to our club. But until everything is set, I just don't want to speculate.

We were going to do it at the end of the season. Out of respect for Ruben, this gives him a head start on finding a job for next season. He did a good job, we wish him the best.

You don't aim for it, but you can build an organization that way. I think we've done a good job as far as the players we've drafted except for the first year that I was here as general manager,

With a guy coming off Tommy John surgery, it's usually the second year those guys come around. We like our defense, especially our infield defense, and its potential to be a good fit with a sinkerball pitcher.

Very few times do you see a player who you can say he can be as good as he wants to be. Literally. I saw Alex Rodriguez in high school, and you could say it about him. That's what I think about Carlos.

We've added two innings starters, we've added some team speed, we've improved our defense, we've increased our depth in the bullpen. So I feel good about that. But we still have some things left to do. We'll continue to be aggressive.

Corner outfield, first base ... second base. He's a good enough athlete.

I like that. That says a lot about him. Most people would kind of rest on what they did. That's a good attitude. This guy has had to prove so much in his life, I don't think this is anything different. If he keeps that attitude, I think good things are going to happen for him.

He's underrated as an outfielder -- his readings are good and he knows when to take a chance and when not to.

It was just a comfort level with the manager. He inherited those guys. Both of them are good baseball people and they're going to be offered other positions in the organization.

The bottom line is I'm the general manager of the club. I'm held accountable. The expectation of fans is a good thing. If the club continues to struggle, that rests on my shoulders.

He's one of the good guys. I'm happy for him.