TORONTO - Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista spent part of the off-season in Mexico, went to the Dominican Republic for the New Years holiday and was home in
Tampa for the last two weeks to begin training for the 2015 season.
Joe
Morgan Athletics Jersey .He kept the shorts and sunscreen at home for his
latest trip, a venture north to his summer stomping grounds for the Blue Jays
annual Winter Tour.It was a different look for Bautista on Friday as he sported
a thick, hooded winter jacket during a media availability at Rogers Centre. The
different look of the team he anchors was one of the main topics of
conversation.Were not that far away, Bautista said. We were very close last
season. At the (trade) deadline, two games out of first place. Youre talking
about minimal changes that can have a great effect and weve had some great moves
so far already that can make us better. I truly feel like we have a contender.I
felt that way two years ago, last year and again this year. I feel like we have
a better roster now than we did a few years ago.After a disappointing
third-place finish in the American League East last season, Blue Jays general
manager Alex Anthopoulos quickly went to work. Canadian catcher Russell Martin
was signed to a lucrative long-term deal and third baseman Josh Donaldson,
pitcher Marco Estrada and Canadian outfielder Michael Saunders were acquired via
trade. Pitcher J.A. Happ and infielders Adam Lind and Canadian Brett Lawrie were
shipped out.There is more work to be done. The bullpen needs to be shored up and
the team could use an upgrade at second base.But the upgrades have been
significant. Martin gives the team a big defensive boost behind the plate and
Donaldson is considered one of the best third basemen in the major leagues.The
way I hope that they impact the team is by doing what theyve done in the past
with other clubs and doing it here, Bautista said. Just by doing that, it will
be a huge influence I believe on wins and losses at the end of the
season.Toronto played a solid first half last season but faded after the
all-star break, winding up with a mediocre 83-79 record. Bautista again posted
big numbers with 35 homers and 103 RBIs but the team was essentially out of the
playoff hunt in early September.There are some exciting young players on the
roster but the teams core is built to win now.Bautista, for one, is 34 and
entering the last guaranteed year of his contract. However, those factors —
along with the teams long post-season drought — are not something that affects
his preparation.Theres no urgency on my end in any aspect, Bautista said. The
thing that Im focused on is figuring out how to help to win more games and
winning more games and making it to the playoffs. Because we have such a good
core and such a good team, I dont feel any sense of urgency.Joining Bautista for
the Winter Tour kickoff were Canadian outfielder Dalton Pompey and pitchers R.A.
Dickey, Todd Redmond and Aaron Loup. Other players are tabbed to participate in
events next week in Calgary, Banff and Vancouver.Dickey, the 40-year-old
knuckleballer, also felt that the off-season moves will help the team.Its nice
to look on paper and see some names there throughout the lineup that you know
are going to be special players, he said. Its comforting is what it is. Im
trying to hold back my expectation until we get rolling but its nice to see
those names for sure.Martin has expressed an interest in learning how to catch
Dickeys knuckleball, a floating, tricky pitch thats difficult for all backstops
to handle. Dickey has primarily worked with Josh Thole but hes looking forward
to developing a rapport with Martin as well.Ive thrown 75 or 80 per cent of my
starts since 2010 to Josh Thole and I love him like a brother, Dickey said. But
to have a guy who can step in there and do it as well is a nice commodity.Also
Friday, the Blue Jays avoided arbitration with Estrada and Saunders by agreeing
to terms on one-year contracts. Estradas deal is worth US$3.9 million while
Saunders will earn $2.875 million.Toronto also signed infielder Munenori
Kawasaki to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training and
outrighted right-hander Cory Burns to triple-A Buffalo.Pitchers and catchers
will begin working out at spring training on Feb. 23. The Blue Jays will kick
off the regular season April 6 at New York.———Follow @GregoryStrongCP on
Twitter.
Marcus
Semien Athletics Jersey . Re-signed by the club to a one-year, two-way
(NHL/AHL) contract on July 5, Bass appeared in three preseason games with
Columbus prior to breaking a bone in his hand on Sept.
Scott
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adjacent to Kuala Lumpurs main airport where the ill-fated flight took off
earlier this month. Authorities now say it is almost certain it crashed in the
Indian Ocean, killing all 239 people aboard.
http://www.athleticsauthenticshop.com/customized/ . - No matter the lineup or location, the San Antonio Spurs are rolling through
the NBA again this spring, just the way they have for most of the last two
decades. NEW YORK -- Milwaukees Carlos Gomez admitted he went too far with a
hyped-up home run trot that ended in a benches-clearing scuffle against the
Atlanta Braves. Gomez was suspended Thursday along with Atlantas Reed Johnson
for one game by Major League Baseball for their actions during the
Brewers-Braves game a day earlier. Both players were fined an undisclosed
amount. Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman and catcher Brian McCann also were
fined for their involvement. Gomez accepted the penalty and sat out the series
opener against the New York Mets on Thursday. Johnson was contemplating an
appeal, according Braves general manager Frank Wren. "I was expecting it after
what happened last night," Gomez said. "Its not good for baseball. Just take it
like a man and be responsible for the stuff I did." Batting second for the
Brewers on Wednesday night in Atlanta, Gomez connected on Paul Maholms 0-1 pitch
in the first inning for a long homer to left-centre field. Gomez, slammed his
bat down and admired the drive in the batters box before starting a slow trot
while shouting at Maholm. Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman had words for
Gomez as he rounded the bag. Gomez continued shouting toward Maholm, and he
pointed at his leg just before he rounded third base -- Maholm hit Gomez in his
leg with an 88 mph fastball on June 23. An irate McCann, catchers mask resting
atop his head, greeted Gomez about 20 feet in front of home plate. Benches and
bullpens then emptied, and Johnson, a reserve outfielder, raced out of the
dugout and shoved Gomez.
Dave
Henderson Jersey. . Gomez, Johnson, Freeman and reserve catcher Gerald
Laird were ejected. "It was such an unusual situation. Every time you get in a
situation like this, in hindsight, theres probably things you wish you would
have done differently, and I would say our players probably feel that way as
well," Wren said before the Braves hosted the Phillies. "But I think the
reaction was probably appropriate for the situation. It was one of the most
unique things Ive ever seen." Gomez never finished his trot but was awarded his
23rd homer because of obstruction by McCann. McCann was furious at Gomez for
yelling on his way around the bases, and the catcher stood by his actions on
Thursday. "I thought he showed up our whole team," McCann said. "I did what any
catcher would do in that situation -- sticking up for his team." After the game,
Gomez was contrite and he apologized again Thursday. "I apologize to people from
MLB, to my teammates, my team, the organization and the Braves," he said. "Its
not really fun when everything happened like that." Brewers manager Ron Roenicke
was satisfied with Gomezs apology and was hopeful that the incident wouldnt
hinder the NL East champion Braves final push for best record in the league. "I
dont want our actions to hurt what the Braves are doing." Roenicke said.
Milwaukee third baseman Aramis Ramirez aggravated a left knee injury during the
scrum and was not in the lineup Thursday.
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