Subject :the team had terminated the contract of forward Linus Omark, paving the way for a return to his nati
SARASOTA, Fla. Eric Ebron Jersey . -- When it comes to his 50-game drug suspension, Nelson Cruz didnt have much to say during his introduction by the Baltimore Orioles. Cruz gave short answers to any Biogenesis-related questions during a news conference Tuesday, a day after the 33-year-out outfielder finalized an $8 million, one-year contract. "Whatever happened in the past, I look to move forward and have a great year with the Baltimore Orioles," Cruz said. Cruz was suspended for 50 games last August for a violation of Major League Baseballs drug agreement related to the sports investigation of the Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic. He was joined at the news conference by eight of his new teammates, including Chris Davis, J.J. Hardy, Adam Jones, Manny Machado, Nick Markakis and Matt Wieters. Markakis said last summer that MLB needed stiffer penalties for violations of the drug rules. On Saturday, Markakis said he still favoured tougher penalties but was happy to have Cruz on the Orioles. "My opinion doesnt change toward anything. Hes part of this team now and hes going to be in this clubhouse and were going to welcome him just like anybody else. Hes going to be part of this team," Markakis said. Cruz hit .266 last year with 27 homers and 76 RBIs in 109 games. The suspension cost him $2,732,240 of his $10 million salary. He signed with Baltimore more than three months after he turned a down a $14.1 million qualifying offer from the Rangers. "It was a frustrating process, but Im happy for the decision that I made. Im really excited for the opportunity. I like challenges and I think its going to be a great challenge for me. Hopefully, I do my best and I look for the World Series," Cruz said. Cruz waited until training camps had opened. Hes part of a late spending burst that has seen the orioles commit $63,575,000. Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez agreed to a $50 million, four-year contract and South Korean right-hander Suk-min Yoon received a three-year deal for $5,575,000. Baltimore lost its first-round draft pick, No. 17 overall, for signing Jimenez, and its second-round selection, No. 55, for signing Cruz. Orioles executive vice-president of baseball operations Dan Duquette adopted a strategy of waiting for free agent prices to drop. "Weve been steadily putting our team together," he said. "We signed a couple of pitchers, which we said we were going to do, and we said we were looking for a bat in the middle of our lineup, and Nelson can fill that role. Were always looking, but I dont anticipate any players of this calibre soon, but were always looking around." Golden Tate III Jersey . Click on to TSN.cas Live Blog at 3pm et/Noon pt for instant analysis from TSNs Noel Butler and Luke Wileman. Adu, a one-time U.S. prodigy who debuted MLS in 2004 when he was 14, returned to MLS this season after an unsuccessful European stint and played 14 games in 2011 for the Union. Brandon Pettigrew Jersey .com) - Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will likely return to the starting lineup Sunday against the New York Giants.The Buffalo Sabres announced on Tuesday that the team had terminated the contract of forward Linus Omark, paving the way for a return to his native Sweden to resume his career. The team put Omark on waivers prior to the start of the NHLs Olympic break with the intention to send him to the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. Omark, who had two assists in 13 games wwith the Sabres, refused to report.Matthew Stafford Jersey. The Buffalo News cited a Swedish newspaper report this week that Omark is trying to work out a deal to play for Lulea in the Swedish League. The Sabres gave up a conditional sixth-round draft pick in a trade with Edmonton to acquire him on Dec. 19. Omark, 27, has eight goals, 32 points and 40 penalty minutes in 79 games. ' ' ' |
