Jed Hoyer, assistant general manager
-- ''It's never a good time to lose Jason Varitek, the heart of the ballclub, but losing him on July 31, the trading deadline makes a trade difficult. We're excited we were able to find a good solution like Javy Lopez so quickly.''
-- ''Every report indicates his catching skills are what they have been. He's a good defensive catcher, a guy we're confident can run the pitching staff.''
-- ''When Javy became available to us we were excited. We weren't going to miss out on that opportunity. He's excited to be here, excited for the opportunity. He puts us in solid catching position. We have two great options behind the plate until Jason gets back.''

Manager Terry Francona
-- ''He [Lopez] hasn't caught that much. I told him he's going to have to let me know how he feels physically.''
-- On the fact that Lopez doesn't know the Sox pitchers: ''There's not going to be a big learning curve. He's an experienced catcher. He hasn't caught much [this season], but he has caught a lot [in his career]. He's caught some pretty good pitchers [with the Braves]. If our guys throw the ball over the plate like they're supposed to, he can catch. The more familiarity [a catcher has with a staff] the better, but we don't have that luxury right now. ''

Doug Mirabelli
-- ''He's played a long time. He knows what to do behind the plate. It's not like bringing up some young kid who has been here before. He has knowledge. The guy's been in many meaningful games in his career. The pressure won't bother him. He's been a very good hitter for years.''
-- ''You would assume he would definitely get serious playing time with his ability to catch.''

Javy Lopez
-- ''This is the opportunity I was pretty much looking for from Day 1 this year, to be on a contending team. [To be on] the Boston Red Sox makes it even better. It is a good feeling, but I haven't even played a game yet.''
-- ''I'm excited. It's a change in atmosphere I can feel right now. I can get back on track. I haven't been in the playoffs for a while.
-- ''I'll just catch as many games as they want me to. He [Francona] knows what I've been through, that I haven't played much for the Orioles as a catcher.
-- (On learning the staff) ''There is some challenge in it. Here I'll have some veteran pitchers so that will make it easier behind the plate than catching rookies.''
-- (On feeling pressure) ''It is pressure, no doubt about it. I just have to erase it from my head. It doesn't do any good putting pressure on yourself. I just have to focus on playing. It's a big responsibility behind the plate, calling the game. I'm responsible for the pitcher. I know my position here. Based on my experience, I have to do the best I can.''
-- ''I was pretty frustrated with the Orioles. They signed Ramon Hernandez and I knew I wasn't going to catch a lot, and that was frustrating, especially in the last year of my contract. None of the things they told me ever happened from Day 1. They talked about me playing first base after they signed Ramon, they talked about an extension and told me I'd catch some. I never played first base after spring training.. I'm not ready to be a fulltime DH. It's not a position for me after catching for 13 years. It was all frustrating. I had back, shoulder, neck [troubles], and that came from not catching. Basically I'm not in the shape I was in when I caught every day.''