And, of course, ... if we get the equivalent of J.D.'s actual production, well, we're kind of screwed. But, no matter what happens, it still can't possibly be as bad of a signing as Russ Ortiz .

You've got a guy with outstanding physical attributes. You couple that with a great baseball acumen, a very grounded family background and a blue-collar workmanship-like makeup, it's an extraordinary toolbox to be working from.

I'm optimistic we'll get the player signed. I think it's a good fit for the player and the organization. But it's important that we try and get this done as soon as possible. I don't think it's unreasonable. We feel the offer we have on the table is a very lucrative and very fair offer.

It's a very special package and a very unique tool package. You've got a guy with outstanding physical attributes. You couple that with a great baseball acumen and knowledge of the game and a very grounded family background with blue-collar-workmanship-like makeup, it's an extraordinary toolbox to be working from.

This signing has taken almost a year but should prove to be worth the wait. Our strategy was to select the best player available and Stephen certainly fit the bill.

You can tell right now that he commands the position of shortstop. He's going to be a solid shortstop who can really hit. If you get J.D. Drew 's production when he's healthy, with a solid defensive shortstop, you've got an All-Star.

We're trying to reach out and get some dialogue going and get some momentum towards a deal going.

Those decisions are down the road, if we make them at all. We drafted him as a shortstop. We believe he can be an impact major leaguer as a shortstop, so there's no plans in the near future to move him off short.

I think absolutely there is a hard deadline here. Even though we retain his rights if he goes the junior college route, it retards his progress and our chances of getting him out there playing in Instructional League or the (Arizona) Fall League and getting the kid some at-bats.

There is a strong community here. We are the community.