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| KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Royals ace James Shields is open to staying in Kansas City beyond this season. That news should make the thousands of fans, already flying high over the teams strong finish a year ago, feel even better as they turned out for their annual FanFest on Friday. The Royals exercised their $13.5 million option on Shieldss contract shortly after going 86-76 last season, their best finish since 1989. The durable right-hander was a big reason behind the success, going 13-9 with a 3.15 ERA in an American League-leading 228.2 innings. Shields told a small group of reporters at Bartle Hall that he was willing to discuss an extension, but he said those talks with general manager Dayton Moore have not taken place. "Id definitely be open-minded to it," Shields said. "A player in my position, where I have one more year left before free agency, I mean, Im definitely open to it. I like Kansas City. I like the organization and I like the direction were going." If Shields went to the open market, its unlikely that the Royals would be a player in the chase. There were reports this off-season that he would seek a contract similar to that of former Royals star Zack Greinke, who signed a $147 million, six-year deal with the Dodgers last season. "Thats absolutely not true at all," Shields said. "I have no clue where he got that from, to be honest with you. Ive had no discussions with Dayton at all. "If Dayton wants to talk about it, Im more than willing to sit and talk about it. But during the season, my main focus is trying to win games and get some wins for this team." Pitchers and catchers are due to report to Surprise, Ariz., for the start of spring training on Feb. 14. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 20. Most of the Royals key pieces return from last season, when they contended into September for the first time in a decade. Their two biggest holes were filled by trading reliever Will Smith to Milwaukee for right field Norichika Aoki and signing Omar Infante to solidify second base. "I didnt think our defence could get any better," Shields said, "but theyre definitely filling some holes that we had. And theyre great additions to our lineup." Then theres the starting rotation, where Ervin Santana has become a free agent. While the right-hander has yet to sign elsewhere, the Royals appeared to move on when they signed left-hander Jason Vargas to a contract early in the off-season. Along with Jeremy Guthrie, the first three spots in the rotation are set. That leaves two up for grabs among a handful of candidates, including starters-turned-relievers Wade Davis and Luke Hochevar, veteran Bruce Chen, left-hander Danny Duffy and flame-thrower Yordano Ventura. "Ive just been working hard, resting my arm," said Ventura, who had a 3.52 ERA in three late-season starts in Kansas City. "Ive just been getting ready because I want to get out there and make the team." That doesnt figure to be an easy task given the glut of competition. "Its a competitive game anyway," Davis said. "Why not do it from within a little bit?" Davis said that he spent the off-season in the weight room, and pronounced himself more ready for this season than any previous year. He also said that hes already been throwing some bullpen sessions, giving him a head start on reporting for spring training. "Im definitely going in to start," said Davis, who began last season in the rotation but was demoted to the bullpen when he proved ineffective. "Hopefully I get that opportunity." cheap jerseys from china . - After reserve Marreese Speights finished a one-handed dunk over Travis Outlaw in the fourth quarter, teammates Andre Iguodala and Stephen Curry jumped off the Golden State Warriors bench and ran onto the floor in celebration. cheap nfl jerseys . But he is devalued. Once ranked among mixed martial arts pound-for-pound elite, the former UFC welterweight champion from Montreal is finding past glory doesnt last long. http://www.cheapnfljerseys2015.us.com/ . The Bombers gauged trade interest in the 34-year-old prior to Thursdays season opener but have not found a deal. Banks was acquired from the British Columbia Lions for Canadian receiver Kito Poblah during the off-season. nfl jerseys china . Countless solitary hours spent in the gym, pushing your body to its limit, striving for just the slightest improvement in your game. wholesale nfl jerseys . Georges "Rush" St-Pierre, also known as "GSP," is a Canadian professional mixed martial artist and world champion as well as a three-time Canadian Athlete of the Year. Recognized as one of the planets best pound-for-pound MMA fighters and all-around athletes, GSP holds black belts in both Kyokushin karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. FRISCO, Texas -- Canadian womens head coach John Herdmann says hes tired of seeing his team lose to the United States. Winless against its arch rival since 2001, Canada dropped its latest contest -- a friendly between the two nations on Friday night -- 1-0 on a goal by Canadian-born Sydney Leroux. "Were disappointed because were sick of saying good try, well done, and we battled hard," Herdmann said. "At some point weve got to beat this team and if its not now, then when? And hopefully its (at the Womens World Cup) in 2015." Leroux, who is a U.S. citizen, scored in the 78th minute to break a scoreless tie against Canada and give the U.S. the victory in both teams 2014 opener. It was Lerouxs fourth goal in the past three games, with two of them coming against the country of her birth. "I love to watch her," Herdmann said. "Shes a phenomenal player and shes great to watch ... and she scores against us. Ive just told her (after the game) to stop doing that, man. You do it against anyone else but not us." The game looked as if it was going to be a scoreless draw before Lerouxs late offence, largely thanks to strong play by Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod and no clear goal chances for the U.S. "I always hope that were going to get one," said Leroux, who was stopped several times in the first half. "Thats kind of how we play, and we push to the very last second. Im just happy that we came out on top of the game 1-0. It was a good game. It was physical and Im glad we came out on top." The Americans sent plenty of chances into the zone, but McLeod calmly caught and parried several crosses. But in the 78th minute, a bit of nifty footwork gave the U.S. the lead. Becky Sauerbrunn started a run with the ball outside the 18-yard box, fed the ball to substitute Christen Press and then immediately got it back, going towward the right post.dddddddddddd Press then weaved a pass through McLeod and defenders Kadeisha Buchanan and Sura Yekka to find Leroux waiting all alone 3 yards. Leroux one-timed the ball with the inside of her left foot for the game-winner. The Americans extended their home unbeaten streak to 78 games (68-0-10). The U.S., ranked No. 1 in the world, also remains undefeated under second-year coach Tom Sermanni (14-0-3), and is a perfect 11-0 all time when playing in Texas. The win marks a strong start to a World Cup qualifying year for the Americans. CONCACAF qualifying is at the end of the year, and the U.S. should be favourites to emerge out of the region. Canada, the hosts the 2015 Womens World Cup, automatically qualifies for the tournament. The 20,862 fans at FC Dallas home stadium were the largest crowd since 2003. "I was a bit anxious about this game because we havent played a game for a long time," said Sermanni, whose team hadnt played since a 4-1 victory against Brazil. "The players have had time off. Canada has played some international recently." The Americans thought they took the lead in the 38th minute when defender Whitney Engen popped in a headed pass, but she was called offside by about 6 yards. Canadian midfielder Josee Belanger took possession at the top of the U.S. zone moments after Engens offside and dinked the ball through two American defenders to Diana Matheson. U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo cut down the angle and Mathesons cross-body chip from about 6 yards trickled past the far post to preserve the scoreless half. It was Solos only test of the first half, and she didnt have to make a save until diving to her right in the 87th minute to stop Jonelle Filigno and preserve the shutout. "You know theyre going to score," Herdmann said. "Ive never known a game where the U.S. doesnt score." wholesale jerseys wholesale jerseys cheap soccer jerseys cheap nhl jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
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posted on: 10/16/2015 09:06:07 AM
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