Der Fremde » aid of his new teammate. "I enjoy

CHICAGO - The Chicago White Sox have a dynamic power hitter in Jose Abreu. They have one of baseballs best pitchers in Chris Sale and a pesky leadoff man in Adam Eaton. Then there is the rest of the roster. Led by Abreu, the favourite for AL Rookie of the Year, Chicago posted a 10-game improvement this season compared to its 99 losses in 2013. It closed the season by dropping three of four against playoff-bound Kansas City in the final series for slugger Paul Konerko, who retired after 18 years in the majors. With Abreu, Sale and Eaton, the White Sox have three of the most valuable commodities in baseball, but there are several areas of concern heading into another important winter, namely an injury-riddled bullpen and the rest of the rotation behind Sale and Jose Quintana. I think we are pleased with a lot of the progress weve made in the last 15 months, but were by no means, first satisfied, nor operating under the belief that were by any means finished, in terms of assembling a core and a unit that can contend on annual basis, general manager Rick Hahn said. Thats absolutely the goal as we enter the off-season here. Another off-season like the previous one, and Chicago will be in prime position to improve again in 2015. The White Sox landed Abreu last October, handing over a $68 million, six-year contract to the Cuban slugger. He responded with one of the best rookie seasons in major league history, batting .317 with 36 homers and 107 RBIs in 145 games. Abreu turns 28 in January and could be anchoring Chicagos lineup for years to come. I think we see great things, manager Robin Ventura said. Any time a guy gets into his first year and has the impact that he had, youre very excited to see what comes of it. The White Sox also acquired Eaton from Arizona in a three-team trade last December. He hit .300 in his third year in the majors with 10 triples, tying Clevelands Michael Bourn for the AL lead. He also played fearless defence in centre field, becoming a fan favourite for his willingness to crash into the wall while tracking long flyballs. We werent expected to win, but I think we played better than most people thought, Eaton said before Sundays 6-4 loss to Kansas City. But like I said, you dont want to get into that mindset of were not expected to win so we dont have to win. I think we need to come every day knowing that were going to win, knowing that were going to compete, and I think well do that next year. Sale was his usual brilliant self, going 12-4 with a 2.17 ERA, and Quintana had another solid year. But the rest of the rotation was inconsistent, and the bullpen was even worse. Hurt by injuries to Nate Jones and Matt Lindstrom, Chicago had a major league-high 32 losses by relievers, and its 4.38 bullpen ERA was 28th in the league. It also had 21 blown save opportunities, tied for seventh-most in the majors. When you look at our bullpen, you wish that was better, Ventura said. You dont know if its going to be guys that are improving or different people. Thats just the way the game goes. You look at what youre weak at and try to figure out a way to improve it. Carlos Rodon, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft, could help the rotation or bullpen next year, and Hahn said the team has some economic flexibility heading into the winter. Chicago also could look to upgrade its outfield after the position group produced just 37 homers this year, tied for eighth-fewest in all of baseball, according to STATS. You look back at a lot of games you lost; see how you lost them, why you lost them, Ventura said. I think defensively for us, theres way to improve. Offensively theres ways to improve. Theres a lot of different things to it. DaShawn Hand Jersey . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Kerryon Johnson Lions Jersey .The Los Angeles Lakers star passed Michael Jordan for third on the NBAs career scoring list Sunday night in a 100-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. http://www.authenticnfllionslockroom.com...s-Elite-Jersey/. 15-23, the Ottawa Senators will by hoping to avoid going five straight games without a victory for the first time since a 0-3-2 drought from Oct. Luke Willson Lions Jersey .J. Ellis hit an RBI single in the ninth inning, Hanley Ramirez hit a tape-measure, three-run homer in the first against Cliff Lee and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 on Saturday night. LeGarrette Blount Jersey . The 23-year-old restricted free agent appeared in all 48 games last season, finishing second among all Sabres skaters with 15 goals and 34 points.TORONTO -- With Toronto FCs 1-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, TFC has now won as many games as it did all of last season and is firmly entrenched in a playoff position in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. But there was no celebrating after the final whistle blew. And that speaks volumes for how far Ryan Nelsens squad has come. Jermain Defoe scored on a penalty shot as Toronto FC entered the World Cup break on a high note with the win. "Another box ticked," as Nelsen put it. "And we moved on." "Were winning games now, we won that game 1-nil and were a wee bit disappointed to tell you truth with how we played," Nelsen said. "Thats where I hoped wed get to was to start to get the wins and the crowd would be going, We won but we didnt play very well. I was praying for that time to happen. Most of the time in the past it was just praying for wins." Toronto, now undefeated in four MLS games, improved to 6-4-1 and jumped from sixth to fourth in the East with several games in hand. Defoes goal came in the 27th minute, awarded when Nick Hagglund was pulled down in the box. The former Tottenham Hotspur star stepped up and slotted the ball to the far left corner, to the delight of the capacity crowd of 22,591 at sun-soaked BMO Field. It was Defoes seventh goal with Toronto and fourth game winner, one shy of the franchise record. "Ive enjoyed it," Defoe said, reflecting on his time in the MLS. "As a forward, I try to get off to a good start and hopefully relax and enjoy my football, and then I know the goals will come. Luckily the goals have come. "Before you come you can never imagine what its going to be like. But its just been amazing, lucky to be at such a good club, where the players get treated right, playing with good players, a lot of young players, theres a good team chemistry, team spirit which is always important. And I believe that we can do something special this year." It was a strong afternoon for Hagglund, a 21-year-old rookie drafted 10th overall by TFC last year. The former Xavier University defender had several scoring chances, including two in less than a minute midway through the first half. On the first, he forced the Jon Busch to make a diving save. The second, he stretched for a volley that he fired just wide of the net. "I think hes icing his groin at the moment from that volley," Nelsen said, laughing. ";Hes just a lovely guy whos not afraid of any occasion.dddddddddddd He kind of puffs his chest and just goes for it. Hes just that type of personality. Those types of personalities go a long way not just in soccer but in life. Thats why hes just a pleasure to have around the place." Nelsen said they spotted something special in the defender, which is why the club moved up in the draft to acquire him. "Just that fearlessness, which in my opinion, gets you a long way in life," Nelsen said. "We saw that in him when we interviewed him, we saw that in him when he played. Hes progressing exactly how we dreamed he would be, to tell you the truth. Hell only get better." Hagglund almost scored in the 68th off a free kick after some angry moments from Nelsen and his players. Newcomer Dominic Oduro was sprinting onto a pass in the air that San Joses Clarence Goodson reached up and stopped with his hand. Toronto players were arguing for a red card, but were awarded a free kick instead, which Hagglund headed just wide of the post. "Its been a roller-coaster," Hagglund said of his rookie season. "Its been fun just to get to play with the guys. What a great group, and Nelsen has done nothing but great things, and encouraged me and pushed me forward, and put me in positions where I have to grow and learn and its been exciting." Oduro, acquired in a trade Friday that sent Alvaro Rey to the Columbus Crew, came on in the 64th minute, and the fans soon got to see the blistering speed for which the Ghanian midfield/forward is known. "Hes direct, quick," Defoe said of his new teammate. "I enjoyed (playing with him)." The colourful Oduro is also known for the elaborate designs he shaves into his hair, still had Columbus-yellow stripes died into his hair on either side of his mohawk. The 28-year-old had a career-high 13 goals last season, including two against Toronto. Brazilian Gilberto had been pencilled into the starting lineup, but was replaced by Kyle Bekker just prior to kickoff after Gilberto was injured during warmup. Toronto doesnt play another league game until June 27 when they travel to New York to face the Red Bulls. NOTES: Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley (the U.S.), and goalie Julio Cesar (Brazil) are playing for their countries in the World Cup in Brazil. . . Retired striker Danny Koevermans, in Toronto with his family for vacation, was at the game. ' ' '