Tidbits from McD's presser (now available on GoCards YouTube channel):
- Potential "closers" include Prosecky, Corbett and Lohman in some long situations if he's rolling as he has the stamina for multiple innings
- McD doesn't seem to like the term or role
- He just wants people to get outs when asked
- Offense includes
- 4-5 "rock solid guys"
- I'd guess he considers Usher, Metzinger, Masterman, Knapczyk in this group
- Maybe Bianco is in this group or certainly the one below at worst
- 4-5 "guys he really trusts"
- Beard, Humphries & Benson are in this group or above
- Peyton or Knapczyk are in this group or above
- 5ish guys he knows have the talent but need to do it and react to adversity
- 4-5 "rock solid guys"
- Pitchers include
- 12-14 that he feels really good about
- Poland & Kuehner referenced as "older guys" that need to lead
- Koger, Liggett & Grundy were FR that were mentioned
- Metzinger can play anywhere
- Could be their 3rd or 4th C if needed
- Can back up at SS or elsewhere, but probably slots at 3B initially
- Rushing and Peyton will C the great majority of games
- They won't necessarily catch the same guys each weekend
- They will probably mix it up early
- 1st weekend doesn't matter where Ps appear
- Thinks he needs 6 starters to complete 3 games early in the season
- Don't get hung up on starter v. opener v. 1st guy out of pen
- Usher will play CF
- Tells you how good Luke Brown was defensively that he pushed Usher to RF
- He says he's confident in Masterman & others defensively