Wonderful thread.  What it really points out is the reality that NOBODY -- not USSM -- not Dr. Detecto -- not me -- not ESPN -- not the Snopes.com --- NOBODY knows what Jack is THINKING.  He's a newbie GM.  And like a newbie guy to your ROTO league, you can only examine each trade or draft pick and "slowly" begin to assemble a profile of the new competition. 

As for what he says in public?  I treat him as I do 100% of GMs.  I don't believe a single word stated publically.  Oh, no doubt "some" of the quotes are truth, (or based on truth).  But, let's face it -- GMs lie, (or more tactfully phrased: "spin"), all the time.  And it is utterly and completely impossible to know what is truth, spin, or posturing intended to make oneself look good - (or nudge open a door someway to some future move you might already be contemplating).

The most revealing trait of Z thus far is likely his fearlessness.  At least that is the best word I can find to summarize his actions thus far.  And, for a NEWBIE GM, that is especially astounding.  The typical error a newbie at anything tends to make is to be more conservative than they would if in a comfortable, familiar situation. 

The newb is less likely to open up his ROTO trade discussions offering Mike Morse for Chase Utley, (because he doesn't know the personalities involved - and who he might offend).  The resident jerk of a league is much more likely to make that offer to get a read on how Mr. Newb responds. 

Me?  I'd LOVE to find out Z has been positioning a series of moves that result in the "unfortunate" (nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say-no-more), fallback of Saunders starting in LF, backed up by a combo of Langerhans and Parker Brothers. 

The history so far says Z values work ethic and desire to win above almost everything else.  But, I think he understands that while you'll find the occasional Pete Rose/Ichiro, who is just going to push themselves to the utmost limit, regardless of what goes around them -- the more typical person REQUIRES external motivations and goals and influences to maintain that work ethic.  More importantly, someone with an excellent work ethic today, can have that desire completely crushed with the wrong treatment.  (I railed about the Johjima extension coming exactly at the time he was in the midst of the worst slump of his career.  That is NOT good for morale -- likely including Johjima).

If Saunders is "handed" the 1B job out of the gate, maybe he starts feeling entitled, and slacks off just that little bit.  But, if he knows the club was involved in any number of trade scenarios that would've sent him back to Tacoma, but they all fell through?  Well, then he might have a better idea of just how tenuous his position actually might be.  Same with Carp.  They continue to negotiate with Branyan.  There is a different landscape if a team trades away the guy blocking you and says, "The job is yours", versus "Well, we think you might be able to handle the job.  Don't disappoint." 

Obviously, I cannot know if any psychological games are really being played by anyone.  But, it's clear to me that Z is more interested in guys with BASEBALL character -- "just win, baby", then he is that they be camera friendly PR specialists.  And he likes hungry players. 

As for his trades and acquisitions ... everything I've seen thus far tells me the man is thinking 6 moves ahead.  He wants to compete today --- but doesn't want to mortgage the farm to do it.  And he doesn't believe he needs to spend 185 million to compete with the Eastern behemoths. 

As Doc notes, today he CAN use the "flip-the-farm" perception to his advantage.  But, that advantage vanishes soon, (at the rate he's going, there aren't going to be any Bavasi prospects left by 2011).  And if he's away that he's using this to his advantage, he also knows that this advantage is fleeting, and he likely already knows what gear he will shift into thereafter.