Omaha front office disappointed, but moving forward.(2051.14)

[niles08]

The Omaha front office held a short press conference today as rumors swirled of not only the entire front office being let go, but the possibility of the team changing course and selling after just 30 games completed of the 2050 season.

Some highlights from that press conference:

On the current state of the team:

“We sat back the past few days and really analyzed each player line by line as we attempt to figure out just what is wrong with the team as far as why we aren’t producing the wins that we expected to produce. Long story short, we’re not in this to lose and we’re not okay with losing.”

On the rumored “trade block”:

“Yea, there is a trade block out there. Any team in any professional sports league should have a trade block put out to other teams just so that teams know that the door is open. Whether that is a trade block with big league players, or prospects, or stop gaps, or Runza’s. You got to have a trade block.

Who’s on the trade block?:

“There’s no reason to hide this. It’s easier to say now to everyone that there aren’t many guys that aren’t on the trade block. I can say were not actively shopping Timo or Jose Barron. Takashi Nakamura isn’t going anywhere. We have no plans to trade Ordonez, Monger, or Ly.”

What about young guys like Eric Wagner and Malik Bin Mazin? You failed to name them?

“You answered your own question. Those guys are good baseball players, but they certainly aren’t untouchable moves at this moment. We want to do things that are going to make us a better baseball team, and some of those things may be unpopular moves today that turn into applause next year.”

On the teams 3 trades in a day:

“These just sort of fell into our lap. We knew that we likely wouldn’t be able to afford Mike in a few years when he hit the market, and those relievers just went in the package. We’re excited about the guys we have coming into the organization.”

So is Omaha a seller already?

“No. I think the Saito deal should prove that we’re not selling. Hell, we gave up 3 pretty good prospects in our organization for a veteran catcher on a 1, maybe 2 year deal. I think we have long said that you aren’t going to see a “rebuild” in Omaha. We don’t “sell to rebuild” and enter the dark times. We rotate guys in and rotate guys out in order to field the best possible team each season as an organization.