Herzlich Willkommen » ed upcoming games in Sochi by the II

TORONTO -- Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Thursday that hes confident hell have financial flexibility should he need it later in the season. Anthopoulos, who held a media availability before his team opened a four-game series against Kansas City, was asked about an online report by columnist Peter Gammons that quoted him saying the team is "pretty much maxed out" in terms of payroll. "Were at our number to start the year," Anthopoulos explained to reporters. "Thats fair so I dont think it varies from anything else weve ever said." The Blue Jays, who have a payroll of about US$135 million, dont have a locked-in salary ceiling. If a situation presented itself, it appears there would be room to heighten it if needed. Toronto has been one of the surprises of the American League this season, rising to the top of the East division and taking a nine-game winning streak into Thursdays game. Talk of potential upgrades and loading up for a post-season run is already underway in the playoff-starved city even though the season is barely one-third old. Anthopoulos said while its still quite early, he does not expect to be hamstrung when it comes to finances. "I have every confidence that if we have a need come the trade deadline, which is obviously late July, I have every confidence that well have the resources to do that," Anthopoulos said. "I dont have any doubts about that at all." The teams purse strings were in the news last April when reports surfaced that some Toronto players discussed deferring portions of their salary to help land Ervin Santana. The free agent pitcher ended up signing with Atlanta for the same one-year US$14-million deal offered by the Jays. But Anthopoulos stressed that if something came up in the next month or two, he feels the team could take on salary if required. "We may need to be creative, we may need to do some things," he said. "But weve been able to add payroll when needed." One potential upgrade area is the starting rotation, which has improved significantly this season despite Brandon Morrow going on the 60-day disabled list and a variety of pitchers handling the No. 5 spot. Anthopoulos gave credit to his starters and said their performance will be key going forward. "I know the offence has been great, were hitting home runs and all that, its fun to watch," he said. "But we will go as far as the rotation will bring us, there is no doubt about that." The Blue Jays could get an in-house upgrade if Morrow is able to return to form. "Well have more of a report by the end of June," Anthopoulos said. "Hes going to be back around the all-star break and by late June, he should be going out on a rehab assignment. So I think it could actually time well." For now, Anthopoulos is focusing on preparations for next weeks draft. He expects GMs to pick up trade discussions once the selection process is complete. "Were not having any active talks at all," Anthopoulos said. "Were really immersed in the draft right now. But I do expect once that draft is over and we get to the Monday after the draft, I think thats when everyone is going to start making the calls again." The teams play over the next month will determine the GMs next move. But again, Anthopoulos doesnt believe money will be an issue. "I think if were in a good position at the beginning of July, well know the landscape a little bit more with what our needs are," he said. "I have every confidence in the world that I can have that conversation with (president) Paul (Beeston), and Paul has that conversation with ownership. "But one, we need to be playing well at that time and were still very far away from that (date)." Mattias Ekholm Jersey .Y. -- It was as if Matt Moulson never left the New York Islanders. Juuse Saros Jersey . Rookie Marek Mazanec made 39 saves for his first NHL victory and the Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks 7-2 Saturday night. http://www.authenticpredatorspro.com/. In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Dan Hamhuis Jersey . Liriano pitched in and out of trouble in his duel with Josh Beckett, and Ike Davis homered to help the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 Friday night. Colton Sissons Jersey . And I wanted to take this opportunity to share some of my experiences gained through International competition and the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Seven NHL referees and six linesmen will be assigned upcoming games in Sochi by the IIHF as part of their 28-man officiating roster comprised of 14 refs and 14 linesmen.BEREA, Ohio - Wide receiver Miles Austins first season with the Browns ended in a hospital bed.Cleveland placed Austin on injured reserve Wednesday after he sustained a kidney injury in Sundays loss at Buffalo. Austin, who had seven catches for 86 yards, remains in the Eric County Medical Center, where he was taken by ambulance from Ralph Wilson Stadium after complaining of stomach discomfort.While the team didnt provide specifics on the injury, Browns coach Mike Pettine said its not serious and that hes being kept for precautionary reasons.I dont think you could term this at this point as something thats serious or critical, Pettine said. But I think its them being very precautionary with him going to travel.Pettine said Austins wife, Stacy, was at the game and has been with him since he was injured.The 30-year-old Austin signed as a free agent with Cleveland in May after eight seasons with Dallas. He finished the year with 47 catches for 568 yards and Pettine said Austin made valuable contributions off the field as well.Its unfortunate because he was a guy that really embodies what were trying to build here, Pettine said.dddddddddddd When you talk about Play like a Brown and the way guys handle themselves on and off the field and how they interact with teammates and with the staff and just their level of play and how they approach the game and everything A to Z, we couldnt have asked a guy to come in and be a better example for our young players.Pettine said he spoke to Austin on the phone and that several Browns players have reached out to him.Austin started 11 games this season, and his loss is another blow to Clevelands struggling offence. He was effective on third downs, making 17 catches as a go-to target for quarterback Brian Hoyer.With starting running back Isaiah Crowell slowed by a hip injury, the Browns signed running back Shaun Draughn. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder in his fifth NFL season out of North Carolina.Draughn signed with Washington as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He has appeared in 26 career games, rushing for 254 yards and two touchdowns. 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