NEPatriot77712
February 21st, 2009, 09:06 AM
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Interview with New Reds GM MasonTK
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ESPN Reporter: Tonight Reds GM MasonTk joins us for an interview on the upcoming season. Mason, thanks for joining us
MasonTK: glad to be here. thanks to those of you at espn for giving the reds a little love. were very excited about the upcoming season.
ESPN Reporter: So coming into your rookie season as a GM this offseason you made some moves, such as the Ramon Hernandez deal, and the Willy Taveras signing. Which signing do you think was the biggest you made, and had the best chance to help the team?
MasonTK: well, all of our acquisitions were vital to building our program. all 3 of our starting outfielders from last years camp have moved on and signing willy was very necessary. we traded to get ramon because we knew that we werent going to resign paul bako or javier valentin. i think signing him shows were looking to make the playoffs and win the division this year. micah owings was also a great pickup, and now our rotation has competition, which we desperately needed to build the young guys.
ESPN Reporter: speaking of your rotation, we know that it has plenty of potential, but do you think that it can live up to that potential this season? It would be very difficult for Edinson Volquez to be able to consistently put up numbers like last year.
MasonTK: no question, he had a great year, but we dont change our expectations that quickly. we have the same outlook with him for 2009 as we did when he joined the rotation. hes too young to put that much pressure on him. he earned the no. 2 spot and if he stays relaxed and focused, hell be fine.
ESPN Reporter: The division your in is a very tough division with the Cubs, Brewers, and Astros always looking pretty good each season. Do the Reds have what it takes to win this division this year? Can they be the Rays of last year?
MasonTK: our division is always a battle, but the key with 6 teams, is not sliding too far when youre not clicking. all of those teams are good; even going to pnc park to play the pirates is no easy task. our goal is to stay healthy and play the way we know we can. we have the pieces, the mix of young talent with veteran support, and should make at run at this thing. were not done with making changes just yet, and hope to take care of our last minute needs before opening day.
ESPN Reporter: So on your Reds team, what would you say is your biggest weakness? Your lineup? Staff? And do you plan on making a move before the season starts to address this weakness?
MasonTK: well without calling anyone out, we definitely need some OF depth. LF is still up for grabs and well feel out our options before the season starts. we have some great talent but need someone who can go every day. we have talked with edwin (encarnacion) about the possibility of playing there, in order to get jeff keppinger in our lineup, but well have to see. other than that were going to need someone in the pen to come in during the early innings and keep us in the game. like i said, we have a great team, and were going to make it deeper so we can last through october.
ESPN Reporter: okay last question before i let you go, the fans wanted this one, how many homers do you predict Micah Owings will hit this year? haha
MasonTK: we welcome all newcomers but micah is really creating a buzz around the city. it all depends on what role he takes on. if he wins the 5th spot, he may pinch hit here and there. if he is in the pen he will get a lot of ABs, i can guarantee that. we let micah work on his hitting in his own time, and he loves it. batting practice for him isnt a chore, its a luxury, and that is what makes him so good. i cant wait to see him hit his first one.
ESPN Reporter: Thank you for your time on this interview.
MasonTK: No problem, its always a pleasure stopping by.
Interview with New Reds GM MasonTK
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/3189023509_94faec0911.jpg
ESPN Reporter: Tonight Reds GM MasonTk joins us for an interview on the upcoming season. Mason, thanks for joining us
MasonTK: glad to be here. thanks to those of you at espn for giving the reds a little love. were very excited about the upcoming season.
ESPN Reporter: So coming into your rookie season as a GM this offseason you made some moves, such as the Ramon Hernandez deal, and the Willy Taveras signing. Which signing do you think was the biggest you made, and had the best chance to help the team?
MasonTK: well, all of our acquisitions were vital to building our program. all 3 of our starting outfielders from last years camp have moved on and signing willy was very necessary. we traded to get ramon because we knew that we werent going to resign paul bako or javier valentin. i think signing him shows were looking to make the playoffs and win the division this year. micah owings was also a great pickup, and now our rotation has competition, which we desperately needed to build the young guys.
ESPN Reporter: speaking of your rotation, we know that it has plenty of potential, but do you think that it can live up to that potential this season? It would be very difficult for Edinson Volquez to be able to consistently put up numbers like last year.
MasonTK: no question, he had a great year, but we dont change our expectations that quickly. we have the same outlook with him for 2009 as we did when he joined the rotation. hes too young to put that much pressure on him. he earned the no. 2 spot and if he stays relaxed and focused, hell be fine.
ESPN Reporter: The division your in is a very tough division with the Cubs, Brewers, and Astros always looking pretty good each season. Do the Reds have what it takes to win this division this year? Can they be the Rays of last year?
MasonTK: our division is always a battle, but the key with 6 teams, is not sliding too far when youre not clicking. all of those teams are good; even going to pnc park to play the pirates is no easy task. our goal is to stay healthy and play the way we know we can. we have the pieces, the mix of young talent with veteran support, and should make at run at this thing. were not done with making changes just yet, and hope to take care of our last minute needs before opening day.
ESPN Reporter: So on your Reds team, what would you say is your biggest weakness? Your lineup? Staff? And do you plan on making a move before the season starts to address this weakness?
MasonTK: well without calling anyone out, we definitely need some OF depth. LF is still up for grabs and well feel out our options before the season starts. we have some great talent but need someone who can go every day. we have talked with edwin (encarnacion) about the possibility of playing there, in order to get jeff keppinger in our lineup, but well have to see. other than that were going to need someone in the pen to come in during the early innings and keep us in the game. like i said, we have a great team, and were going to make it deeper so we can last through october.
ESPN Reporter: okay last question before i let you go, the fans wanted this one, how many homers do you predict Micah Owings will hit this year? haha
MasonTK: we welcome all newcomers but micah is really creating a buzz around the city. it all depends on what role he takes on. if he wins the 5th spot, he may pinch hit here and there. if he is in the pen he will get a lot of ABs, i can guarantee that. we let micah work on his hitting in his own time, and he loves it. batting practice for him isnt a chore, its a luxury, and that is what makes him so good. i cant wait to see him hit his first one.
ESPN Reporter: Thank you for your time on this interview.
MasonTK: No problem, its always a pleasure stopping by.