Q:  Holy Cow!  How did you build that rotation, it might be one of the best ever.  Do you consider it risky to use high draft picks on pitchers; you’ve had success with Webb and Verlander.  Others have tried and failed to draft pitchers, but HHA is doing something right, what is it?

A: It all comes down to the Hawaiian Scouting department., We don’t just read the reports or look at the numbers alone. It’s a combination of things.  We feel that a pitcher not only needs good numbers for today, but that he projects well.  It’s especially tricky in our ballpark where a fly ball pitcher can get hurt. You need to find a guy who throws a lot of double play balls and can keep the ball in the park. We do make mistakes, Daniel Cabrera comes to mind and of course the injury bug bit Anibal Sanchez, a 2007 first rounder with whom we have since cut ties

Q:  Honolulu has a solid infield, pitching staff and outfield.  That pretty much covers everything – what needs will you try to address with your top draft pick or will HHA take the best player available.

A: We always look to take the best arm available unless we have a specific need.  In a park like ours, pitching is a priority.  While first base has a opening right now, I am a firm believer that we can fill this in the later rounds or through a deal.  Ideally Tim Lincecum will fall to 14. That not being likely, we may take a look at Joba Chamberlin or a similar live arm before we consider a position player.  In this league, people don’t deal pitching easily, so it pays to address those needs first.  You can always fill 1st base and outfield in the later rounds. 

Q:  HHA experienced a blip in 2006 in terms of W-L record.  What led to that and how did you recover so darn quickly?

A: In 2006, we put player loyalty ahead of building a team with the proper pieces.  Mark "Gopher" Buehrle was our horse and he just couldn't keep the ball in the park.  Chien Ming Wang also had some homer run issues and we were relying on Danny Cabrera and Kyle Lohse to do more than they were capable. 

The staff really was not constructed as well as I would have liked and the 2006 draft did not fall into place. We realized this early on and made the decision to trade the older pieces of the puzzle, which only had immediate one or two year value to us. We picked up Aaron Rowand for Jeff Cirillo, and made the decision to send the good hit no field Miguel Cabrera along with Mark Buerhle packing for Roy Oswalt and Pat Burrell.  We also picked up 6 draft picks for expendable players along the way in other deals which allowed us to acquire solid role players which really led to our turnaround.

Q:  One of your nicknames is known to be “Trader Stan”.  What compels you to be such an active member of the trade market? 

 A: I believe that you make a deal when it benefits your team.  Even if it is a small benefit in your mind, it’s a deal that should be made if you will reap rewards now or in the future. If you make a lot of deals you should, in theory, make your team a lot better.  Too many GMs are afraid to make a mistake, but that comes with the territory.  You need to take risks if you want to reap rewards.  There are some GMs who don’t make any deals and they can only improve by drafting players. Timing is also key, as Branch Rickey once said "I'd rather trade a player a year too early than a year too late."  Those are words to live by for a GM.

Q:  When looking ahead five years, what player on your team gives you the most cause for optimism?

A: I think Brandon Webb, who is one of my personal favorites, gives me the most hope for the future. He seems to have found his niche as one of the better pitchers in MLB.  I don’t believe his style of pitching lends itself to injury as he is not a pure power pitcher. Justin Verlander can also be a major star but I do worry about his health.

Q:  What is the most enjoyable aspect of NASBL?

A: I would have to say the GMing aspect is most enjoyable for me; I like to be able to put the recipe for a team together and see how it plays out. The game strategy is a smaller part of it for me.  It’s the formation of what I think is the best possible team I can put together. It doesn't matter if its through the draft or via the trade route or some combination if the two, its about finding a way to get it done.