San Diego Padres: Green: “The Expectation Doesn’t Change”

Dec 7, 2016; National Harbor, MD, USA; San Diego Padres manager Andy Green speaks with the media on day three of the 2016 Baseball Winter Meetings at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; National Harbor, MD, USA; San Diego Padres manager Andy Green speaks with the media on day three of the 2016 Baseball Winter Meetings at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the inexperience of the San Diego Padres’ roster, manager Andy Green is not in the business of making excuses. He is ready to win, and is not planning on changing expectations.

San Diego Padres‘ manager Andy Green recently spoke to the media, saying what many fans were relieved to hear. Refusing to lower the team’s expectations for 2017 despite what many think, the second year manager isn’t going to apologize for the current roster they have.

Alluding to the fact that the name recognition on the roster isn’t exactly at an all time high, the youngest manager in baseball realizes that it isn’t his job to critique roster moves. Putting the best product on the field is Green’s responsibility, something that he does not take lightly.

Green’s comments during his discussion with MLB Network’s Hot Stove:

"“I think from my perspective, the expectation doesn’t change. The expectations to play great baseball regardless of who’s on your roster, regardless of the names that you have that the industry knows or respects, the goal is to play outstanding baseball, and the expectation will be there that that happens, and we’re going to play intelligently and aggressively and take advantage of what we can from an opportunistic standpoint, and then we’re going to blend it all together into successful baseball in the long run, and that’s the goal.”"

Lost in all of the transactions made by General Manager A.J. Preller is Green, a manager many fans are excited to give an extended opportunity.

Of course, as much as the Padres would love to win as soon as possible, Green does realize that this rebuilding process is ultimately a long endeavor, one which takes patience and a constant eye towards the future. This is why Green pointed towards the long run in his comments, keeping his sights set on realistic objectives.

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But unlike many fans and members of the media, Green isn’t willing to gloss over 2017. Emphasizing aggressiveness and intelligence, the team’s manager is confident in his young players’ ability to do just this.

Now, of course, Green isn’t going to promise any win total or playoff appearance in a certain year. But making it clear that 2017 is not going to be a season devoted solely to player development is encouraging to fans. After all, who wants to root for a team that quits before the season even begins? This angers fans, and rightfully so.

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The Padres are not going to be this way though. And even if 2017 is another season of struggles, fans can rest assured that they have a manager who will not accept failure under any circumstances. With Green at the helm, failure is simply not an option, because the expectations don’t change.

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