TORONTO -- Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko calls it a revolution and the MLS team is rolling out the big guns.
Shareece Wright Jersey . Former league MVP Dwayne De Rosario came back on board Thursday and England striker Jermain Defoe is to be unveiled Monday. It looks like the Spurs star will be joined by U.S. international midfielder Michael Bradley. While Toronto FC officials twisted their tongue into knots Thursday trying not to say anything about Bradley when asked, AS Roma issued a release later in the day saying the American had been sold to Major League Soccer for US$10 million. A source with knowledge of the league subsequently confirmed that the Bradley move to the MLS had passed another significant hurdle. The source also said Toronto FC was the MLS club pursuing him. It represents a remarkable shopping spree, one that should jolt life into both Toronto FC while further adding lustre to Major League Soccer itself. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is shelling out millions to turn what has been the MLS doormat for seven years into a world force. A club official rejected reports that the combined bill for Defoe and Bradley is C$100 million including wages and transfer fees, but the real number probably isnt that far south. Like any other sport, the big boys of soccer come with big price tags. And MLS teams may have to overpay to overcome European snobbery. For a team yet to make the MLS playoffs, Toronto ownership is thinking big -- well beyond mere post-season play, according to Bezbatchenko. "We want to be internationally recognized as a top club," he said after welcoming De Rosario back at a packed news conference at BMO Field "We want to be competing internationally ... Theres a certain type of player you need to achieve those (goals)." Defoe, 31, and Bradley, 26, will do nicely. The 35-year-old De Rosario, a Toronto native who left the club in 2011 after a contract dispute, adds experience, class and local appeal. Up until now, the only thing world-class about Toronto FC has been its training centre -- a C$20-million-plus complex that probably rivals all but the top clubs in Europe. Poor results have led to management and player turnover which have led to poor results which have led to management and player turnover. MLSE president and CEO Tim Leiweke, who helped bring David Beckham to MLS, is not one for half-measures and, with the backing of the MLSE board, has opened up the vault for Bezbatchenko and manager Ryan Nelsen. The team has a vision -- and buckets of cash to back it up. "In all honesty it wasnt a really hard sell when you just tell them where were going to go," Nelsen said in describing his sales job to De Rosario. Unfortunately for De Rosario, under the MLS salary cap rules, only a few get to cash in. De Rosario, who ranks sixth on the all-time MLS scoring list with 103 goals, made US$654,300 in 2013. He will undoubtedly earn less in Toronto, but said his return to Toronto is about more than money. "For me right now its about winning ... You cant put a price on that," he said. Its a comment that speaks volumes about todays De Rosario, who once was all about the numbers on his paycheque. Remember the 2010 goal celebration that saw him pretend to sign a cheque, by way of showcasing his financial discontent in Toronto. Once seemingly more concerned about the De Rosario brand than anything else, the veteran midfielder has changed his stripes in recent years. With the national team, he has worn the captains armband and, at a Canada training camp in Arizona in early 2013, went out of his way to connect with younger players. The new galaxy of TFC stars will probably have to build bridges with their lesser-paid teammates. Fullback Ryan Richter, for example, made US$34,125 last season while several others made US$46,500. MLS is a league of have- and have-nots. Most Toronto players will be more acquainted with a Metropass than a Porsche. Jordan Hamilton isnt complaining, however. Toronto FC also announced the signing of the 17-year-old academy product Thursday. "A dream, come true," said the young forward. A dream that may include training next to Defoe. "To be practising alongside Defoe, what more could a 17-year-old ask for," Hamilton said with amazement. While MLSE is spending big, Nelsen says the teams salary cap is actually in better shape that the bottom line bloated with bad contracts that he inherited last season. As he noted, designated players may cost millions but their salary cap hit is US$390,000 The arrival of Defoe and Bradley as designated players, along with Gilberto and incumbent midfielder Matias Laba means that Toronto has four DPs -- one over the limit. Laba is the odd man out, with Nelsen only saying at this stage that there are contingency plans. As Nelsen points out, the MLSE board has dug deep into its pockets because it believes this is smart spending. In the short term, improvements are needed to retain and build on the 14,600 season-ticket base. With an average attendance of 18,131, the franchise ranked 10th in the league. MLSE will have looked longingly at Seattles league-leading average of 44,038. But MLSE also wants to overhaul and expand BMO Field, likely pouring in C$100 million-plus to add a roof and refit the bare-bones stadium to allow for football and other events. The 22,00-seat capacity BMO was built on a $62-million shoestring, probably less than what Defoe and Bradley will cost. Leiweke mused recently about Toronto hosting an NHL Winter Classic, likely timed with the Maple Leafs 100th anniversary season in 2016-17. A revamped BMO could also host outdoor music festivals, which were another string to the MLSE bosss bow when he ran the Anschutz Entertainment Group. AEG is the second-largest music promoter in the world (behind Live Nation), staging tours by Justin Bieber, Bon Jovi, Prince and Taylor Swift and running events like the New Orleans Jazz Festival, the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and Stagecoach Festival. Leiweke, a music fan who has attended Coachella, already has a big-name local music buddy in Drake, MLSEs global ambassador who helped sell Toronto to Defoe. De Rosario, Defoe and Bradley will sell tickets -- and more than a few jerseys. Defoe is a charismatic striker with an eye for goal, although one club official mused that recently signed Brazilian striker Gilberto may score more goals this season. In return for a huge investment, the compact East Londoner offers Toronto FC respectability (55 caps for England) as well as scoring chops (more than 200 goals in all competitions). He will also serve as a club ambassador, charming and entertaining off the pitch. Bradley will run the midfield. Add Brazilian midfielder Jackson and U.S. international fullback Justin Morrow to the young roster that remains from a six-win 2013 season and Toronto FC promises to be interesting watching when the season opens March 15 in Seattle. For the league, its compelling evidence that the North American league is a legitimate soccer destination. "We want to be leading the way," Bezbatchenko said. "The transformation this club has undergone the past three months is indicative of where were headed and what we want to do with player signings," he continued. "We want to be top-class in the league, in every way." While some fans -- following Leiwekes Leaf dreams -- may be planning the TFC parade route, his braintrust knows there is more work to be done in turning around a squad that went 6-17-11 last season. Exhibit 1 is the Toronto Blue Jays, whose shopping spree produced little more than disappointment last year. Nelsen knows an expensive bill does not necessarily make for a fine meal. "Look, were improved as a team. Everybody can see that. Were better. Were going get better. Are we the finished product? No, not at all ... Weve got a lot of work to do." He welcomed the pressure to win. "Love it, everybody loves it," he said. "Players want that, everybody want that, the coaches want that." Improvement will be an ever-present mantra, he added. Bezbatchenko, meanwhile, was not about to puncture the fans balloon. "Let them have their fun. Lets let our fans enjoy the moment because we are making trades, we are signing Dwayne, Gilberto. Were signing some really exciting players. "So let them have their moment because its going to be a fun ride." De Rosario clearly adds some class to the journey. He took time out during his moment at the microphone to note that Canadian national team coach Benito Floro was in attendance. As with the national team, he will also help mentor a young roster. Twenty of the 26 players on TFCs current roster are 25 or younger. Toronto selected De Rosario in Stage 2 of the MLS re-entry draft last month after D.C. United opted not to pick up his option at the end of the season. Nelsen called him a "legend" of Canadian soccer but said De Rosario would have to adapt his game to the demands of the team and his body. "All the great players redefine their roles on the field, in their training schedules, everything on and off the field. When you get to a certain age," said the 36-year-old Nelsen, speaking from experience De Rosario, who turns 36 in May, isnt taking any steps back, however. "Im a goal-scorer, Im a winner ... Im here to win, Im not just here to be the local kid coming back." When a reporter suggested he was in the "latter stages" of his career, De Rosario politely disagreed and said the competitive juices are still flowing. But the 13-year MLS veteran did say Toronto would be the last stop on his playing career. All it took was "a simple phone call," albeit not one De Rosario ever expected after his earlier disagreements with the franchise. He admitted it helped that the previous regime had all left. NOTES -- Nelsen confirmed that English fullback Richard Eckersley will not be coming back due to his hefty contract. Striker Robert Earnshaw has yet to respond to a contract offer, but Nelsen believes that the Welsh international will move on in a bid to get playing time. The manager also said other clubs are interested in U.S. forward Bright Dike and, while he would like to keep him, he will have to listen to any good offers.
Benjamin Watson Ravens Jersey . -- Max Domi scored twice and set up two more as the London Knights toppled the visiting Kingston Frontenacs 6-4 on Sunday in Ontario Hockey League action.
C.J. Mosley Jersey Every day pretty well, I check out the Blue Jays minor league stats to see whos trending upwards and whos tailing off. Saturday, the boxscore for Double A New Hampshire really caught my eye. Bostons farm club, the Portland Sea Dogs throttled the Fisher Cats right in their own ballpark. It was the most lopsided defeat in franchise history and the biggest shutout loss. That wasnt the biggest story though. It was the young man who started that game for New Hampshire, Aaron Sanchez. Regarded by many as the Blue Jays top pitching prospect, Sanchez didnt get out of the first inning. In fact he didnt even record an out. My first though was that maybe he was injured, but I called the Fisher Cats early Monday morning and was assured Aaron is alright. He just struggled mightily with his command. Sanchezs line was pretty ugly. He faced only six batters, walked four and a hit another, and the only batter to make contact reached on an error by first baseman Mike McDade. Though he didnt give up a single hit, Sanchez was charged with six runs, though only three were earned. Sanchezs entire season so far has been rife with growing pains. Hes 1-3 with a fairly respectable 3.54 ERA. However in just 48.1 innings, hes walked 34 men while hitting another seven versus 41 strikeouts. Its hardly time for the Blue Jays to panic. Sanchez looked great at spring training this year and wont turn 22 until July 1. Still, I wouldnt be looking for a quick call-up to the "Big Club", if any of the Jays starters falter or get hurt. Sanchez still has a ways to go on the developmental curve. On the flip side of that coin is right hander Deck McGuire. The Jays drafted him number 11 overall in 2010 out of Georgia Tech. In 2012, at Double A, he seemed to hit a wall and had a terrible season. Last year, again at Double A with New Hampshire, he had a bounce-back season and has continued to grow this year with the Fisher Cats. On Saturday after two strong starts with the Fisher Cats, McGuire was promoted to Triple A Buffalo. While not as highly regarded a prospect as Sanchez or Marcus Stroman, the Jays may yet get something out of McGuire, who turns 25 on June 3. After detailing Kyle Drabeks struggles over the past two columns, its only fair to mention how good he was last Thursday at Louisville. He pitched eight shutout innings, striking out five and walking only two in what became a 4-2 victory for the Bisons. Ricky Romero, whose struggles have been epic this season at Buffalo, was due to rejoin the club Monday after spending a few days in California to attend his brothers collegge graduation.
Customized Baltimore Ravens Jersey. Ricky is pencilled in to start the Memorial weekend holiday Monday game at Indianappolis. The Blue Jays Mark Buehrle is well on his way to a 14th straight season of pitching 200 or more innings. As things stand right now, only three other pitchers have put together a string like that of 15 years or longer. The trio includes Gaylord Perry (15 years), knuckleballer Phil Niekro (15), and lefty Warren Spahn (17). All three are Hall of Famers. They also won over 300 games each. Buehrle (8-1) on the season has 194 wins at age 35. With their recent spurt, including six straight wins, the Blue Jays only have to go 62-49 the rest of the way to finish with 91 victories. Thats a number that should put them in the post-season for the first time since 1993. Around the Majors What in the name of Bobby Valentine has gone wrong with the Red Sox? The defending World Series champs, making like Valentines team of two years ago, have dropped 10 in a row and have been swept in consecutive series by Detroit and the Blue Jays at home and Tampa Bay on the road. Theyre in last place in the AL East, eight games back of the Blue Jays and six games out of the second Wild Card position. On the plus side, Bostons farm system is reputed to be strong, especially at Double A Portland. The Sea Dogs second baseman, Mookie Betts, is a sparkplug speedster who because of the presence of Dustin Pedroia may ultimately wind up in Bostons outfielder sooner rather than later. From the "go figure" file, the Texas Rangers have used a Major League-high 39 players so far this season and have utilized the disabled list 17 times. Yet in the same week they found out that Prince Fielder and Jurickson Profar were gone for the season, the Rangers went into Comerica Park in Detroit and took three out of four from the powerhouse Tigers, outscoring them 35-15. Houstons rookie right fielder George Springer has had his moments defensively, but he is really picking it up at the plate. Hes slugged four homers in the last three games, including two on Sunday to give him seven on the season to go with 22 runs batted in. The Astros though still have the worst record in the Majors at 19-32. Until the other day, I did not know that in his pitching days Babe Ruth threw sidearm. In his relatively brief time on the mound as a full-time starter, he was regarded as the best lefty in the Majors. The best pitcher period, in those days, was Walter Johnson. "The Big Train" also threw sidearm. Makes you wonder why that style barely exists in the Majors today.
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