American League West that
Добавлено: 05 мар 2020, 04:45
WASHINGTON - Nationals starting pitchers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister arent paying attention to speculation about whether theyll be traded before next season, the last of their current contracts.Shortstop Ian Desmond also could be bound for free agency a year from now — or sent to another team before that — and acknowledges hes well aware he could end up leaving the franchise that drafted him out of high school in 2004.Ive got guys that I consider Dad in this organization. Ive got guys that are just like my brothers, Desmond said Saturday at the clubs fan festival. I was 18 when I signed; I had like four armpit hairs. Now Ive got three kids.Asked if he found recent trade talk jarring, Desmond replied: Jarring? Look, this isnt my first day on the job. I understand whats going on. ... Its part of the business. The Nationals didnt get here by sitting still.What has been a relatively quiet off-season for Washington could become drastically different in the coming months, depending on what happens with a group of key players who arent signed beyond 2015.In addition to Desmond (the teams top returning player in homers, 24, and RBIs, 91), Zimmermann (14-5, 2.66 ERA, no-hitter in the regular-season finale) and Fister (club-high 16 wins, rotation-leading 2.41 ERA), that category includes setup man Tyler Clippard and leadoff hitter Denard Span.General manager Mike Rizzo might trade one or more.Or he could try as much as possible to keep together a club that won the NL East title two of the past three seasons.If its a fair value (offer), like I have said all along, I would gladly sign, said Zimmermann, who added that he doesnt want contract negotiations to continue during the season. But at the end of the day, its got to be something thats fair. And if its not, then Ill be moving on.Fister, traded from Detroit to Washington last off-season, is avoiding word of what could happen now.I want to be taken by surprise, because I want to expect that Im going to be back here next year, he said.The only deal that came together last week for Rizzo was sending left-hander Ross Detwiler to Texas for two minor league prospects.We had a lot of trade ideas and we just havent found the right time, place or situation, the GM said. We feel that we like the team we have, but we certainly see the room for improvement.He wouldnt comment on negotiations for Desmond, Zimmermann or Fister.Weve got a lot of options, Rizzo said. We can go a lot of different ways. We can stand pat and go with a team that we think is a very, very competitive ballclub. We can make a few tweaks here and there.___Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . -- With Tony Allen back, the Memphis Grizzlies were able to turn up their defence pressure and hold off the Los Angeles Clippers down the stretch. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . A-Rod is also disqualified from any post-season play. So at the tender age of 38, he will miss all of next season. As a result of missing the coming season, hes also out $25 million (which coincidentally is my hourly rate). Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку!. Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks were proof of that on Wednesday night. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . Josh Bailey had a goal and an assist as the New York Islanders earned a 2-1 win over Ottawa Wednesday, leaving the Senators five points out of a playoff spot with just five games to play and four teams ahead of them. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . -- Theres nothing like winning to bring hope for a struggling team.The Oakland As continue to rule the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings, taking top spot for the fourth consecutive week, ahead of the Milwaukee Brewer and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, both up one spot. Despite injuries to their pitching staff, the As keep rolling and lead a powerhouse American League West that has three of the top six teams. The Seattle Mariners make the Gillette Move of the Week, up from 12 to six, after winning seven of their last nine games. Pitching has kept the Mariners in the playoff hunt and their 3.26 staff ERA ranks second in the American League, behind only the As. Four straight wins pushes the Minnesota Twins from 23 tto 17, and winning four of five results in the New York Mets rising, from 26 to 21.dddddddddddd Heading the other way, the Toronto Blue Jays are slumping and have lost second baseman Brett Lawrie to a broken hand, so they slide from two to nine. The Atlanta Braves, home of the slumping Uptons, are down from seven to 15, and the reeling Texas Rangers have crashed from 17 to 26, as injuries decimate a pitching staff that was questionable to begin with. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку!. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. ' ' '