Author Topic: Toboni's first Hot Stove Luncheon (Read 451 times)

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #25 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:35:53 pm »

On Butera relationship: buddies now. Similar in what value.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #26 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:38:26 pm »

Sph questions thru ticket reps: how balance building with keeping fans invested:? front office has to be judged on what do. Results. Hope is results will convince fans eventually.

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #27 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:40:07 pm »

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on January 31, 2026, 02:32:19 pm

Kolko asks about fan reaction and how explaindeals: says the idea is stable winning once start winning. Not just a year or two. Path is to get a ton of talent in system

I love that answer. It means they can trade away players as they hit arbitration so that they can get prospects on the right timeline (which always happens to be a few years away so no reason to sign free agents)

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #28 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:40:15 pm »

SPH q - A 2026 metric for success: core of young players at mlb level- are they getting better?

Also, farm rankings. Wants it to be near top vs prior years (says system was in bottom 1/3 at start of last year, and he wants to get into top 10, top 5.)

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #29 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:43:03 pm »

Giveaways: Crews and Abrams signed balls, Ruiz bat. I could not seer if Ruiz bat came with holes in it

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #30 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:44:26 pm »

Butera up now:

Same coat &slacks as Kolko.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #31 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:45:34 pm »

Has a newborn. #1. arrived on day he was announced as manager.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #32 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:47:11 pm »

1st 30 days, calling players, meeting many at west palm...

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #33 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:48:45 pm »

Coaching staff, what looked for...

Lean towards coaches that care about players, covers his blind spots

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #34 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:50:07 pm »

No zoom calls next week with staff. Wants staff to spend time with family before camp. Had been doing 3 or 4 zooms a day.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #35 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:52:11 pm »

Lots of "play the right way." Consistency

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #36 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:53:54 pm »

Hassell in W Palm early along with House and Millas

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #37 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:55:01 pm »

Success this season will be hitting on player plan milestones over season. End of season player s/b better than player on 4/1/26

madj55 · « **Reply #38 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:56:17 pm »

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on January 31, 2026, 02:30:03 pm

Ferrer /Ford deal: quick deal. Seattle pitches it. Asks for Ferrer. Were set for another pitcher fa but asked here beforethat deal. Ford was the guy we ask for. [Kolko: the little dumper] Ford has specific things to work on. When ready will be up.

Really hope they don’t start him in AAA - don’t love this answer.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #39 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:56:21 pm »

Was a BoSox fan as a kid in new Orleans. Dad was in Red Sox organization so followed them. Favorite player - Dustin Pedroia

(not mentioned - Dad made it to AAA (Barry Butera). Topped out in 1980. Uncle is Sal Butera, who played in MLB. Cousin (Sal's son) is Drew Butera, a coach for the Jays who also caught for several teams in MLB.)

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #40 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:57:40 pm »

Approach to players who are older than him: Learned in winter ball coaching Vladi and Fernando rodney. Did WBC with piazza. mentions kozma to boos

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #41 on:** January 31, 2026, 02:59:03 pm »

Playing ball for Boston College and winning baseball Beanpot tournament in 2015 as a playing highlight.

Talks about Rays scouting report on him, which he looked up when he moved into player development. "Plays hard; will be a great coach"

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #42 on:** January 31, 2026, 03:01:04 pm »

Goal: help players max career length

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #43 on:** January 31, 2026, 03:02:09 pm »

Mentions House, Crews, Hassell again

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #44 on:** January 31, 2026, 03:02:31 pm »

Hassell is up 25 lbs.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #45 on:** January 31, 2026, 03:03:10 pm »

Nunez, Millas in camp

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #46 on:** January 31, 2026, 03:04:49 pm »

With mention of how guys are going to dinner together vs burying selves in phones: wants to encourage team togetherness early on. Team as Family.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #47 on:** January 31, 2026, 03:08:13 pm »

Will clean this up a bit later

Slateman · « **Reply #48 on:** January 31, 2026, 03:42:11 pm »

Quote from: madj55 on January 31, 2026, 02:56:17 pm

Really hope they don’t start him in AAA - don’t love this answer.

If you want him at catcher, he needs to be in Triple A. He is not good behind the plate

PowerBoater69 · « **Reply #49 on:** January 31, 2026, 05:01:58 pm »

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on January 31, 2026, 02:00:11 pm

Kolko getting ready to emcee

I've never before used the phrase cat who ate the canary, but that exactly describes Kolko's smile as he stood on stage ready to get started.