Q: How would you evaluate the major league team's first month of the season?

A: "I like our club a lot. (Manager) Walt (Weiss) and his staff have done a great job. We have a great group of guys, and they fit very well together."

Q: Has Blackmon surprised you by being one of the league's hitting leaders?

A: "No, although I'm not saying he's going to hit .400 or .380 all year. In 250 plate appearances last year, he showed us he is a good player. His issue has been his health; he just needed an opportunity to play."

Q: A few days ago was the one-year anniversary of you calling up Arenado. Did you expect him to perform as well as he has so quickly?

A: "I don't really have expectations anymore. I feel like Nolan is very talented and keeps getting better every day. We couldn't be happier about having him at third base. He's a tough kid."

Q: How pleased are you about the Lyles-Barnes trade?

A: "Jonny Weil, our director of professional scouting, and our scouts did a great job on that. Jordan has stepped up and done a great job for us, and so has Brandon."