CLEVELAND -- The Indians had little choice but to give up Justin Masterson.
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Jarvis Landry Jersey . The trade doesnt mean theyre going to surrender the
season. "We will never raise the white flag," Cleveland manager Terry Francona
said. "Thats not an option. Anybody who stands next to me in the dugout knows
that will never happen." Protecting themselves in case the 29-year-old Masterson
left as a free agent after the season, the Indians traded the right-hander on
Wednesday to the St. Louis Cardinals. The trade of Masterson could be followed
by other moves by the Indians, who entered Wednesday 6 1-2 games behind
first-place Detroit in the AL Central and in a scramble with five other teams
for the leagues second wild-card spot. The Indians could also trade shortstop
Asdrubal Cabrera before the deadline. Like Masterson, Cabrera is in the final
year of his contract and the Indians have shown little interest in re-signing
him. Dealing the two-time All-Star could bring a prospect in return. General
manager Chris Antonetti said hes exploring deals to improve the team before
Thursdays 4 p.m. trade deadline. "Our focus is to continue to try to win as many
games as we can," he said. "Were currently in the midst of having conversations
to bring players in to impact our team at the major league level. Whether or not
that happens over the next 24 hours, there are a lot of factors in play and its
hard to handicap that." Masterson began the season as the Indians ace. Hell end
it with a different team in a different league after a disappointing four
months. "I was surprised," Masterson said. "Its bittersweet. Im sad to leave the
fellas and the fight were making here in Cleveland, but Im excited to get to St.
Louis and be a part of what they have going there." In exchange for Masterson,
who was scheduled to come off the disabled list later this week, the Indians got
outfielder James Ramsey. A first-round pick by the Cardinals (No. 23 overall) in
2012, Ramsey has spent this season at Double-A Springfield, where he batted .300
with 13 home runs and 36 RBIs. Antonetti said Ramsey will be moved up to
Triple-A Columbus. Masterson went 14-10 last season and then turned down an
offer of a contract extension in spring training. "Its an extraordinarily
difficult day for us," Antonetti said. "It wasnt an easy decision, but its one
that made sense." Masterson is 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA in 19 starts this season and
has had a noticeable loss in velocity. In five starts before being placed on the
DL with right knee inflammation, he allowed 19 runs and 27 hits in 18 innings.
Masterson, who hasnt won since June 8, said the impending free agency didnt
affect his performance. "I guess I could try and blame that, but that would be a
lie," he said. The Cardinals are in the race for the NL Central crown, a season
after going to the World Series. "Im excited," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny
said before the Cardinals played the Padres in San Diego. "Ive watched this guy.
Yes, the numbers dont quite look the same as what they looked last year, but
were talking a year ago. Still, good movement, hes able to attack the strike
zone. We can see theres a lot of potential here to help us out." Masterson will
join the Cardinals on Friday in St. Louis and is scheduled to start against the
NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. "Lets go. Theres no sense
waiting around," Matheny said. Masterson was acquired by the Indians at the
trading deadline in 2009 in the deal that sent catcher Victor Martinez to
Boston. Before Tuesdays series opener against Seattle, Masterson said he wouldnt
be surprised if the Indians made any moves before the trade deadline Thursday.
Masterson had said he was hoping to stay and help them make a playoff push.
Francona was Bostons manager when Masterson was dealt to Cleveland. Masterson
went 48-61 with Cleveland. "The hug was a little longer than normal," Francona
said. "We may part teams, but my admiration for him isnt parting." Joked
Masterson: "Tito keeps trading me away. Whats up with that?"
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for his hit from behind on Kevan Miller of the Bruins.
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Kenny Stills Jersey . However, the intensity and physicality that has
characterized the postseason so far has caught Gretzky by surprise. "Its a
little bit risqué right now," Gretzky told Philadelphia radio station 97.
http://www.cheapdolphinsjerseyselite.com/ . The St. Louis Cardinals were scheduled to arrive in Boston in time for a
workout on Tuesday afternoon. Much of Mondays discussion focused on Bostons
lineup considerations as the series progresses, specifically when the venue
shifts to St.MONTREAL - After two years out of the NHL playoffs, there is new
optimism among the Nashville Predators.A stunning turnaround aided by a coaching
change, the addition of veteran forwards James Neal and Mike Ribeiro and the
emergence of 20-year-old forward Filip Forsberg have put Nashville in first
place in the Central Division going into the all-star break.Now they believe
theyve got enough pieces to keep up their strong play through the second half of
the regular season and do some damage in the playoffs.Absolutely, veteran centre
Mike Fisher said Tuesday. We really believe in this group.We believe were a top
team in this league and we are. Weve shown it thus far. Were really confident in
the group we have, that we can win any night against other top teams.The
Predators had not lost twice in a row this season going into a game Tuesday
night against the Canadiens in Montreal, where they were without star goalie
Pekka Rinne for a third game due to an injury expected to last three
weeks.Backed by Rinne and an impressive defence group led by Shea Weber, the
Predators are the NHLs stingiest team, allowing only 2.25 goals per game. But
Nashville has been known as a tight defensive side in recent years.The surprise
is that they are tied for fifth in goals scored per game at 3.0.Part of that
stems from the decision last summer to let the conservative Barry Trotz go after
coaching the team through its first 15 NHL campaigns and bring in a more
attack-minded Peter Laviolette.Trotz is now performing wonders in making the
Washington Capitals a winning, two-way club, while Laviolette will also be a
coach of the year candidate for doing much the same in Nashville.Its good for
both sides, said Weber. You see the success theyre having (in Washington) and
that were having.There was a different feel coming into training camp this year
with a new face and I think the guys have responded very well.The second part of
the season will determine if the Predators are for real, but it looks like it so
far.They certainly have the goaltending with Rinne, considered one of the best
in the world.With Weber, they have the big No. 1 blue-liner every team wishes it
had, and he is backed by a group that can defend and move the puck. Among them
is emerging talent Seth Jones, the fourth pick in the 2013 draft.Only a few
months ago,, they didnt appear to have much up front, but then Forsberg turned
into a nearly point-per-game player and a strong two-way player on the top line
with veteran Mike Ribeiro, who so far has shown a new commitment to discipline
after being bought out by Arizona due to behavioural problems.
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Ryan Tannehill Jersey. Hes been an excellent addition to our team,
Laviolette said of Ribeiro, who is on pace for his first 70-point campaign since
2010-11. Terrific in the room, terrific teammate, terrific on-ice play.Forsberg,
playing his first full NHL campaign, was acquired from Washington in March 2013
for Martin Erat and Michael Latta in what is looking to be a spectacular steal
for Nashville.Fisher centres James Neal, a one-time 40-goal scorer picked up in
a trade with Pittsburgh in June, and Colin Wilson, who is having a breakout
season and will soon top his career high of 35 points.Veteran Olli Jokinen,
signed from Winnipeg, is playing on the fourth line. Another reclamation
project, defenceman Anton Volchenkov, brings his stay at home style to the third
defence pair and being dumped by New Jersey.Fisher likes the teams chances.With
the goaltending we have, and look at our back end: everyone can handle the puck
and skate, he said. And you look at the mix, the young guys, the leadership,
energy, the way we play.Were all excited about what we can do. Its a tough
league and the playoffs are tough, but we feel weve got a lot of pieces and
character and we can be successful.The Predators have won only two playoff
series in their history, the last against Detroit in 2012.The optimism now stems
from adding some offence to a team known for tight defence. That comes from
Laviolette.Id say were more aggressive, said Fisher. We want to be hungry for
pucks, to forecheck really hard.The way our defence can move the puck helps us
offensively. And defensively, we want to be hard to play against. He wants us to
play both ends. He wants us to make plays and be creative, but be responsible.It
has worked so far, but Weber, the captain, knows there is a lot of hockey still
be played.I was on this team a while back when we were in first place for a
while too, he said. Weve had good teams since Ive been in Nashville.Its just
been tough the last couple of years. Theres still a lot of season left and we
have to keep it up.
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