- happy with progress of his 'plan' to date. - Ned doing good job keeping team focused, yadda, yadda, cliche, cliche - very satisfying to see fruits of their labor come to bear this season. Mentioned Jack Z and Reid Nichols in particular as being instrumental to their success. - On being GM of a small market team: you are allowed to be patient with player development. Easier to build a team from the ground up. Can't do things like pick up guys off the scrap heap in a large market. They have to be very selective in their free agent pickups (and that). Also said it's a lot of fun watching players develop from high schooler to major leaguer. - Trading deadline: they have assurance from Mark A. that they can make a move if it will help the team. - Depth in minor league system: mentioned Parra's perfect game (guy that replaced Gallardo in AAA as example of depth). Said they would go to Manny as next call up if they had to make a move. - On Cubs' series: should be fun, yadda, yadda, etc. etc. - On Mark Buehrle: wouldn't give up players on current club (I assume he meant young guys because he mentioned Gallardo, Braun, and Hart). Sounded like they would part with minor league prospects if the right trade came along.