Port, Lucchino Post-Trade Comments on Floyd, Howry, and Future Moves

Mike Port on The McDonough Group, 1510 The Zone (6:15pm w/Burton, Borges, Cafardo)

Port: (picked up at) "...well that would be the first nap in several days, but thank you very much. We think of him (Howry) as a power reliever, a set-up man and a closer, he's coming back from full arthroscopic surgery in 2000... has pitched in 47 games this year and is getting back to being the power set-up guy he was with a chance of being a closer for us. He's a big game pitcher. He has an aggressive demeanor. And he's going to be a positive addition to our ballclub."

"Tomorrow, we'll have to make some adjustments. We made trades, not just for the sake of making trades, but that were right for the Red Sox. We'd like to think we did two things in that direction today.... yes, we did add payroll but we had John Henry and Larry Lucchino involved all the way, and let this be a signal to Red Sox fans... while we do not have unbridled spending, but this was an indication that we want to bring Red Sox fans what we want to bring them this year."

Larry Lucchino (6:30ish):

LL: "You can never get everything we identified for the possible four areas that we could make a move in, and we did it in two of the four. Are we pleased about what we were able to accomplish? Absolutely. Some clubs we're competing with weren't able to do anything."

...(answering question) "We're not just competing against one team... oh do you mean the Evil Empire? I subscribe to that pathology... I do recognize that if we get to the post season with the couple of starters we have, we will be tough competition for anyone. We will keep our eyes open regarding waiver opportunities if we can... August allows for movement, not a likely possibility compared to July. We like the added depth we've brought to the team, these are two very good guys who'll fit nicely into this clubhouse. Personality and character issues are quite important to us."

Did you make the decision to proceed as if there would be no work stoppage?

LL: "I hope there will not be one and the issues are solvable, but when you're as close as you are here you have to take your artillery out and go for it."

Strike: LL: "Varies from day to day.... fairly moderate issues... no one fighting for salary cap, rev. share, payroll tax... at the end of the day, we'll come up with a solution."

Possibility to swallow more payroll? LL: "Unquestionably there is now an issue of roster space, that's why the GM gets big bucks... I'm in awe of the dynamic, but it's Mike's call."