e said. "We got derailed this year by decision-making as well as injuries. Theyre all my responsibility, and the best we | Forum

TAMPA, Fla. Dylan Remick Sounders Jersey . -- Masahiro Tanaka knows that first appearance in a spring training game for the New York Yankees will be scrutinized. Tanaka and Hiroki Kuroda will follow starter CC Sabathia in Saturdays game against Philadelphia at Steinbrenner Field. All three are expected to throw two innings or 35 pitches. "Obviously, I understand that some of the people are just going to look at the numbers of the game that Im pitching in, but Im not really too focused and worried about that," Tanaka said Wednesday through an interpreter. Tanaka signed a $155 million, seven-year contract in January. He was 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA last year while leading the Rakuten Golden Eagles to their first Japan Series title. "I feel that Im getting into the rhythm, used to things," Tanaka said. Andreas Ivanschitz Sounders Jersey . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. Chad Marshall Sounders Jersey . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. http:///...tle-Sounders-Jersey/ . There was no hesitation from the 40th-ranked Pospisil, from Vernon, B.C., who admitted that he cut back on his training sessions over the last few days to conserve energy as the long ATP season finishes next week at the Paris Masters.NEW YORK -- If anything, the Yankees like Joe Girardi even more now than when they hired him to manage the team six years ago. General manager Brian Cashman praised Girardis handling of the team during a disappointing season and is about to offer him a new contract. "He knows wed like to have him stay and continue as manager of the New York Yankees as we move forward," Cashman said Tuesday. "I feel we hired a good one. Hes been a world champion player for us. Hes been a coach, a broadcaster and obviously a world champion manager. So weve benefited from having him and wed like to do that going forward, but well have to speak with him and see how it plays out." Girardi has led the Yankees to a 564-408 record and a World Series title. Crippled by injuries, New York had its poorest season since 1992, missing the playoffs for the second time in 19 years and finishing tied for third in the AL East at 85-77. Cashman met Girardi for coffee on Monday, a day after New Yorks season ended, and plans to have lunch Wednesday in New York with Girardis agent, Steve Mandell. "Were entering the sensitive conversations that will either lead to a deal or lead us to the understanding that there wont be a deal," Cashman said. Girardi won out over Don Mattingly to replace Joe Torre after the 2007 season and was given a $7.8 million, three-year contract. He is completing a $9 million, three-year deal. The Chicago Cubs may be interested in Girardi after firing manager Dale Sveum. Girardi grew up in Illinois, went to Northwestern and played for the Cubs. But Girardi is under contract through October, and Cashman wouldnt say whether he would give the Cubs permission to speak with the manager. "I think he likes it here," Cashman said. "Were going to give him a real good reason to stay, and hes earned that through his six years with us so far." Heading into the off-season, the Yankees face numerous questions, especially about their pitching staff and infield. Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte are retiring. Second baseman Robinson Cano is a free agent, as are pitcher Hiroki Kuroda and outfielder Curtiss Granderson. Leonardo Gonzalez Jersey. Shortstop Derek Jeter played just 17 games this year after breaking an ankle last October and third baseman Alex Rodriguez didnt return from off-season hip surgery until August, and he may have to serve a lengthy drug suspension next season. Cano, a five-time All-Star who turns 31 on Oct, 22, can become a free agent after the World Series and may be seeking a 10-year deal worth $305 million or more. Cashman will meet with the Yankees professional scouts starting Monday to formulate his off-season plan. "Wed love to have Robby back," Cashman said. "Hes been a great Yankee. I think if he stays he has a legitimate chance to experience what you just saw for instance a little bit from Mariano, where maybe he has a chance to be the first Dominican-born player to be in Monument Park." Cashman also said its unclear whether the Yankees will be able to get under next years $189 million luxury tax threshold, which includes about $177 million for player salaries. "Its not a mandate. Its a goal that we have if its possible," Cashman said. "Theres a lot of benefits to staying under that, but its not a mandate if its at the expense of a championship run. It just depends on what the opportunities are before us, and the costs associated with it." He also plans to address the Yankees lack of power this season. Injuries and the departures of Raul Ibanez, Nick Swisher, Russell Martin and Eric Chavez as free agents caused home runs to dropped from a team-record 245 last year to 144, the Yankees fewest in a non-shortened season since they hit 130 in 1989. Not counting strike years, it was the largest falloff in baseball history, topping a decrease of 96 for the 1988 Chicago Cubs. "We love guys with plate discipline and power from the offensive side. And thats been our history, and thats been our philosophy for a long time thats worked," he said. "We got derailed this year by decision-making as well as injuries. Theyre all my responsibility, and the best we could produce unfortunately was an 85-win team. Thats not Yankee standards." Wholesale Jerseys China' ' '