CLEVELAND -- John Axford had other choices where he could pitch next season.
David Savard Jersey . The Indians closed the deal. Axford, who had 46 saves for Milwaukee in 2011 but lost his closers job last season and was traded to St. Louis, finalized a $4.5 million, one-year contract Thursday and will close for Cleveland in 2014. The 30-year-old Axford had other teams interested in signing him, but he decided to join the Indians because of their turnaround in 2013, a strong clubhouse and manager Terry Francona, who sold Axford with his typical straightforward approach. "He was very, very up front with me about the team, the organization, the city," Axford said. "It just sounded to me like a situation I want to be a part of." Axford replaces two-time All-Star closer Chris Perez, who was released in October after Cleveland made its first playoff appearance since 2007. Axford agreed to the contract with Cleveland earlier this week, and completed the deal after taking a physical on Wednesday. The right-hander can earn another $1.75 million in performance bonuses based on games finished: $250,000 for 38 and $300,000 apiece for 43, 48, 53, 58 and 63. The Indians initially considered filling the closers role within the organization -- right-handers Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen were the top candidates -- and pursued several veteran free agents before working out a deal with Axford. The Indians werent scared off despite Axford struggles last season, when he started horribly and was demoted by the Brewers before eventually being traded to St. Louis in August. "We thought he was the right guy to take a chance on," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. "We feel like we added an experienced, power arm to the back of our bullpen." Antonetti said the team wasnt reluctant to give the job to Shaw or Allen, its just that Axford was a better option and the club feels he can "bounce back" and be an elite stopper again. Axford attributed some of his early problems last season to pitching in the World Baseball Classic. He was throwing hard from the get-go and went through a "dead arm" period when his velocity dropped following the WBC. But after making some adjustments, Axford settled in and posted a 2.92 ERA in his final 71 appearances with the Brewers and Cardinals. "I dont like to make excuses," Axford said. "I really enjoyed pitching for my country, but I really dont think my arm was ever ready for the start of the regular season. I had a dead arm and my velocity was down in those first few games of the regular season. But when you give up four home runs and have an ERA of 22 after four games, you cant be surprised that youre not the closer anymore." Axford has a 22-19 career record with a 3.29 ERA and 106 saves in 281 relief appearances. He said being a free agent "was fun, but it was difficult." Ultimately, he thought the Indians were the best fit for him because they provided a chance to close again and Cleveland is just a 4 1-2 hour drive from his home in Ontario. It also helped the Indians are on the rise after earning a wild-card spot in 2013. "There were certainly other teams in the mix," Axford said. "They had a great season last year. It seemed like a team I would want to pitch for."
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Sonny Milano Jersey . Burris threw for 247 yards in one half of a game -- on pace for a nearly 500-yard outing -- as the Redblacks downed the woeful Montreal Alouettes 26-10 in CFL pre-season play Friday night at Percival Molson Stadium.
http://www.officialbluejacketsfanstore.c...ts-jersey/ . "Well over 50 (per cent)," coach Claude Noel said Tuesday after practice, where the Jets were looking at ways to cut down the scoring chances theyve been giving away.GREEN BAY, Wis. - Playing a road game against a division rival raises the intensity for linebacker Clay Matthews.Theyre fun games to play, and I think more so just talking from the fan aspect of it a€” the fans hate you, Matthews said Friday. Thats something to thrive on when you play on the road.After missing Green Bays two games against the Chicago Bears last season, the Packers defensive standout anticipates playing Sunday when the NFLs oldest rivals meet for the first time this season.Matthews, who has a groin injury, is probable for the game against the Bears.Provided theres no setbacks, I expect myself to be out there on Sunday, Matthews said.Matthews has practiced on a limited basis this week after suffering the injury in the second half of the Packers 19-7 loss at Detroit last Sunday. Matthews didnt finish the game.The Packers didnt practice Friday. But coach Mike McCarthy had encouraging news after the teams medical staff evaluated Matthews on Friday morning.So far, so good, McCarthy said. The medical review, the report today was good on Clay. We still have 48 hours (before the game), so were confident that hell be ready to go. But hes still working through it.Matthews reported to be feeling good and noted how his recovery from his first groin injury improved throughout the week.Yesterday was a big step in the right direction from Wednesday, Matthews said of his involvement in practice those two days, and today Im sure would have been.McCarthy implemented a new schedule this season with the Packers off the field on Friday before a Sunday game, but having a light practice on Saturday.I think its good for me, Matthews said. And then tomorrow well fly around, break a sweat and feel good going into Sunday. I dont anticipate there being any problems.Having Matthews ready for Sunday should be a plus for Green Bay, which is looking to avoid starting the season 1-3 for the firstt time since 2006, when it finished 8-8 in McCarthys first year at the helm.
Scott Harrington Jersey. Matthews has hurt the Bears as a pass rusher in his career. He has eight sacks in nine games against Chicago since his rookie season in 2009, including the Packers NFC championship victory at Soldier Field in the 2010 season.In the rivals two games in 2012, Matthews had 5 1/2 sacks against Bears quarterback Jay Cutler as Green Bay swept the season series.A broken thumb kept Matthews from playing both games against the Bears the second half of last season.Matthews said he was at home watching Green Bay end the regular season with a dramatic 33-28 comeback win at Chicago on a final-minute, fourth down touchdown pass by Aaron Rodgers. The Packers clinched a third straight NFC North title and took a playoff spot from the Bears.Itll be good to get out there again, kind of put my foot back into that whole Packers-Bears rivalry and just make an impact, really, Matthews said.And Matthews expects to be able to play without limitations Sunday against a versatile Bears offence he ranks as Chicagos best in his six years as a pro.I think weve talked about this with my injuries in the past that I wouldnt be out there if I wasnt full go with the caveat that well be smart, Matthews said. Well monitor the reps, especially going into a Thursday night game (against Minnesota) the following week.But well see how it goes, well see how it plays out, well see what theyre coming out with in their personnel, their scheme and where were at in the game.NOTES: Also probable for the Packers are RT Bryan Bulaga (knee), CB Davon House (knee) and LB Nick Perry (wrist). WR Jarrett Boykin and LB Brad Jones (quadriceps) are questionable. Boykin, who already was recovering from a knee injury this week, suffered a groin injury in practice Thursday.___Online:
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