Barber: Welcome to Dodger Talk, everyone. Today I am very happy to have General Manager Brandon Kirk with me. Thanks you for coming in and talking to us, sir.
Kirk: You're most welcome. I am very happy to be here.
Barber: Now let's start with the trade. Dodger pitching preformed well last year. Why did you feel the need to do this deal and how did it all come about.
Kirk: You're right. I was not dissatisfied with our pitching last year and I would have had no problem having the same rotation this year. But when you are presented the opportunity to upgrade you're pitching like I think we did, you have to seriously consider it. I heard that Strincevich was on the trading block so I started talking with them to see if we could work out something and thankfully we were able to. This is a deal which works out well for everybody I think. Barney, Melton, and Woodling will all have success in Pittsburgh and they would probably have bigger roles that they would have here.
Barber: But why trade? There were some good starting pitchers who were free agents this year. Why not sign one of them then you wouldn't have to give up anyone.
Kirk: There's a pretty simple answer to that. They weren't interested. We contacted a few of the free agent starters and for whatever reason none of them were interested in talking to us.
Barber: You have just given Johnny Hopp one of the biggest contracts in the league. Is he worth that much?
Kirk: Well, I'll just say he was worth that much to us. Last season this club made over 30 million dollars in profits. We always said that if the fans came out and supported us, then we would put the money back in the team. At the start of the Winter Meetings, we were focusing on Elmer Valo and Hopp. We made what we felt were very fair offers to both, but we got outbid for both. Valo signed early and we were put in a position where we had to get Hopp and had to spend what was neccessary to sign him and that's what happened.
Barber: So you're saying you could not have gotten for less that 9 million.
Kirk: That's what I'm saying. We don't spend money for the fun of it. That's what my wife does. We spent what was neccessary to improve the team.
Barber: The media is speculating that to make room for Hopp that Pete Reiser will be moved to the infield. Is that correct?
Kirk: Well that will be Burt's call but there's a good chance that will be what happens.
Barber: You mean media speculation was actually correct?
Kirk: You know what they say, Red. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.
Barber: OK, one last question. Can this team win the World Series?
Kirk: Definitely. There's no reason this team shouldn't be a serious contender.
Barber: There's the word from the man himself. Should be an exciting season and I will look forward to bringing you the action throughout the year. Join us next time for Dodger Talk.
