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"There's a lot of pressure out there because we do have so many young guys out there with good arms. I know at spring training, there's going to be a lot of competition. None of the spots are really set in stone, so there's going to be a lot of guys at spring training really working hard, coming in in good shape and trying to battle for a spot. But at the same time, it's exciting because so many of us were able to get our feet wet and get some games under our belts and have some experience. I know just in the eight starts that I had in the big leagues, I learned so much and I was able to really improve. There were a couple games I had where I struggled a little bit and got a little bit out of the zone, but as time went on, my last three starts ended up being my best starts. I was able to settle in and feel real comfortable. So ending on a good note, finished up my last start in New York, coming out with a victory...it feels pretty good this offseason training, knowing I can compete at that level. It really is an exciting time for the team. I know it's an exciting time for myself, because coming into this spring training, I know I have an opportunity to break with the club and I'm going to do everything I can to earn a spot."
On how his arm felt by the end: "My arm felt good. Finishing up the year, I felt like I was at my strongest. And that's the most important thing, to stay healthy all year long. I didn't miss a start last year, so my goal coming into the upcoming season is to maintain, stay healthy. My goal is to finish out the year not missing any starts and go as long as I can, and that's one of my main focuses this offseason, really getting myself in good condition so there's really no reason to shut me down at any point in time, and hopefully carry it on to the post-season."
On not having as many butterflies when he takes the mound: "I'm always going to have nerves. When you're pitching at the highest level, the major leagues, you're always going to have nerves, regardless of how much experience you have. But with that under my belt, it really is a confidence-builder knowing that I can go out there and compete at the highest level and have success. It's going to be a fun year and I'm really looking forward to it."
I'm still predicting that Matusz emerges as the staff ace by 2011, if not sooner.
More from Matusz
By Roch Kubatko
Twitter strikes again.
We had a young reporter tweet yesterday that the Blue Jays signed Carlos Delgado - that supposedly was the "word out of Puerto Rico" - but their general manager and Delgado's agent, David Sloane, quickly denied the report.
Delgado, it seems, is still a free agent.
There's no need to fact-check anymore. Just get the rumor out there and worry about the details later - like whether it's false. I saw plenty of examples at the Winter Meetings.
Man, this business really has changed.
The Orioles haven't made an official statement, but I sense they're losing interest in Delgado after scouting him last week.
Delgado homered last night in a 2-1 loss to Caguas that evened their semifinal series at 1-1. He served as the designated hitter again, which doesn't make it any easier to determine whether his hip will allow him to play first base.
Here's a little more from yesterday's Brian Matusz interview on MASN and 105.7 The Fan:
On his offseason, which he's spending in Arizona:
"Once the season ended, I took some time off, played a bunch of golf, relaxed a little bit. It was such a long and crazy year for me, bouncing around. It started in Fort Lauderdale, then I went to Sarasota, then I went to Frederick, then to Bowie, then finally to Baltimore. It was a crazy year. So I just relaxed a little bit, played a bunch of golf, and lately I've been working out at a facility in Phoenix, Athletes' Performance (Institute), with Adam Jones and Brian Roberts, just trying to prepare myself for the 2010 season."
On whether he feels any pressure:
"There's a lot of pressure out there because we do have so many young guys out there with good arms. I know at spring training, there's going to be a lot of competition. None of the spots are really set in stone, so there's going to be a lot of guys at spring training really working hard, coming in in good shape and trying to battle for a spot. But at the same time, it's exciting because so many of us were able to get our feet wet and get some games under our belts and have some experience. I know just in the eight starts that I had in the big leagues, I learned so much and I was able to really improve. There were a couple games I had where I struggled a little bit and got a little bit out of the zone, but as time went on, my last three starts ended up being my best starts. I was able to settle in and feel real comfortable. So ending on a good note, finished up my last start in New York, coming out with a victory...it feels pretty good this offseason training, knowing I can compete at that level. It really is an exciting time for the team. I know it's an exciting time for myself, because coming into this spring training, I know I have an opportunity to break with the club and I'm going to do everything I can to earn a spot."
On how his arm felt by the end: "My arm felt good. Finishing up the year, I felt like I was at my strongest. And that's the most important thing, to stay healthy all year long. I didn't miss a start last year, so my goal coming into the upcoming season is to maintain, stay healthy. My goal is to finish out the year not missing any starts and go as long as I can, and that's one of my main focuses this offseason, really getting myself in good condition so there's really no reason to shut me down at any point in time, and hopefully carry it on to the post-season."
On not having as many butterflies when he takes the mound: "I'm always going to have nerves. When you're pitching at the highest level, the major leagues, you're always going to have nerves, regardless of how much experience you have. But with that under my belt, it really is a confidence-builder knowing that I can go out there and compete at the highest level and have success. It's going to be a fun year and I'm really looking forward to it."
I'm still predicting that Matusz emerges as the staff ace by 2011, if not sooner.
"There's a lot of pressure out there because we do have so many young guys out there with good arms. I know at spring training, there's going to be a lot of competition. None of the spots are really set in stone, so there's going to be a lot of guys at spring training really working hard, coming in in good shape and trying to battle for a spot. But at the same time, it's exciting because so many of us were able to get our feet wet and get some games under our belts and have some experience. I know just in the eight starts that I had in the big leagues, I learned so much and I was able to really improve. There were a couple games I had where I struggled a little bit and got a little bit out of the zone, but as time went on, my last three starts ended up being my best starts. I was able to settle in and feel real comfortable. So ending on a good note, finished up my last start in New York, coming out with a victory...it feels pretty good this offseason training, knowing I can compete at that level. It really is an exciting time for the team. I know it's an exciting time for myself, because coming into this spring training, I know I have an opportunity to break with the club and I'm going to do everything I can to earn a spot."
On how his arm felt by the end: "My arm felt good. Finishing up the year, I felt like I was at my strongest. And that's the most important thing, to stay healthy all year long. I didn't miss a start last year, so my goal coming into the upcoming season is to maintain, stay healthy. My goal is to finish out the year not missing any starts and go as long as I can, and that's one of my main focuses this offseason, really getting myself in good condition so there's really no reason to shut me down at any point in time, and hopefully carry it on to the post-season."
On not having as many butterflies when he takes the mound: "I'm always going to have nerves. When you're pitching at the highest level, the major leagues, you're always going to have nerves, regardless of how much experience you have. But with that under my belt, it really is a confidence-builder knowing that I can go out there and compete at the highest level and have success. It's going to be a fun year and I'm really looking forward to it."
I'm still predicting that Matusz emerges as the staff ace by 2011, if not sooner.
