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CLEVELAND -- Even as other teams made him offers, Grady Sizemore knew there was only one that made sense for him. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . He still belonged with the Indians. "I wasnt ready to say goodbye and move on," he said. On Wednesday, the Indians re-signed Sizemore to a one-year, incentive-based contract, bringing the oft-injured former all-star outfielder back for another chance to become the electrifying player whose career has been derailed the past three seasons by injuries and surgeries. Sizemores journey into free agency didnt take him every far. Although there were "good offers from good organizations," Sizemore decided to stay with the one that has patiently waited for him to get healthy. "They know me better than anybody," Sizemore said. The Indians, who last month declined a US$9 million option for 2012 on Sizemore, will pay him a base salary of $5 million next season. The 29-year-old can make another $4 million based on plate appearances. The deal also includes an awards package that includes $500,000 if Sizemore is selected comeback player of the year. The performance bonuses max out with fewer plate appearances than Sizemore had in any season from 2005-08. Sizemore has undergone five surgeries, including a microfracture procedure on his left knee, the past two years and has only played in 210 games over the last three seasons because of injuries. But the Indians are confident that a healthy Sizemore can help them contend in the AL Central. "Were obviously optimistic," said general manager Chris Antonetti. "We know that when hes been on the field, hes been a very productive player. We know its not going to be for 155 or 160 games per year, but we feel optimistic Grady will get back to the point that he is a very good player for us." Following the World Series, the Indians cut ties with Sizemore by declining the option for next season, making him a free agent for the first time. Antonetti flew to Arizona to personally meet with Sizemore and explain the teams reasons for letting him go. Antonetti said the team was not closing the door on Sizemore and the Indians would gladly re-sign him -- at the right price. That gesture of loyalty, and the teams patience with Sizemore while he was hurt, meant a lot to him. As other teams made offers, the Indians stayed in touch with Sizemores representative and never wavered in their pursuit of one of the clubs most popular players. "The Indians were aggressive in wanting to keep Grady, and he has said all along he would keep an open mind toward returning," said agent Joe Urbon. "He appreciates the interest from other clubs, and he just felt that the best place to reassert himself as a great player is in Cleveland. He can stay in centre field, which is important to him, and he has enjoyed his time there. "Now, he can focus on his play without the distractions of new surroundings, and he will be a free agent again just after his 30th birthday." Sizemore acknowledged he had some doubts as he ventured into free agency unsure of his future. "I really didnt know what to expect," he said. "I was in the dark a little bit." But as the process unfolded, it became clear to Sizemore -- and the Indians -- that theyre relationship was not supposed to end. Sizemore said hes eager to put the past three years behind him and hopefully help the Indians win. "Its been frustrating," he said. "Ive always loved being a part of this organization and I never pictured myself playing anywhere else." Sizemore played in only 71 games after beginning last season on the disabled list. He made three trips to the DL and underwent right knee surgery on Oct. 3, just days after his season ended with a .224 batting average 10 homers, 32 RBIs and zero steals for the first time in his career. Sizemore is continuing to rehab his injury and believes hell be ready when spring training camp opens in February. With Sizemore back, and assuming he can stay healthy, the Indians starting outfielder appears to be settled with Sizemore in centre, Michael Brantley in left and Shin-Soo Choo in right. The club still needs to add some depth and Antonetti promised the team will continue "trying to make our ballclub better." Cleveland is looking for more offensive help, and its likely the clubs focus will be an upgrade at first base. Manager Manny Acta said incumbent first baseman Matt LaPorta will have to earn a roster spot this spring. Sizemore joined the Indians in 2002, coming over as part of the six-player blockbuster trade that sent ace Bartolo Colon to Montreal. Sizemores blend of speed and power were unlike any player in club history and hes the only Indians player with at least 100 homers, 200 doubles and 100 steals. There are skeptics who doubt Sizemore will ever play at the level he once did. Hes not worried about anything other than getting ready to play. "I want to prove to everyone that I can stay healthy and I can perform," he said. "I want to have a healthy year and get back to playing like I know I can." Cheap NFL Jerseys . The Sharks centre scored twice in the second period as San Jose defeated the Calgary Flames 4-1. The 33-year-old from Aneroid, Sask., has scored 30 or more goals in four consecutive seasons and has six overall in his career. Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping . Mondays tilt is the first of seven meetings between the teams over the final 10 games. The As, who trail Texas by four games in the division, may catch a break as Rangers superstar Josh Hamilton is still recovering from a sinus problem that had been impacting his vision. http://www.cheapstitchedjerseyschina.com/ . You can see the game on TSN2 beginning at 8pm et/5pm pt. Not only can Gonzalez equal the 20 wins set by Ross Grimsley of the 1978 Montreal Expos, but he gets a crack at becoming just the second D.C. left- hander to ever win 20 games. NFL Jerseys Discount . The former light heavyweight champion from Montreal missed the agreed upon 180-pound catch-weight for his 10-round non-title bout with Polands Aleksy Kuziemski when he tipped the scale at 181. Cheap Jerseys . You can watch the game live on TSN and TSN Mobile TV at 7pm et/4pm pt and join our Game Night Blog to get playoff updates. The third-seeded Panthers are in the postseason for the first time since 2000 after winning the franchises first-ever Southeast Division title.Its no secret that the Blue Jays, at 3-6 and having lost each of their first three series, are off to their worst start since 1998. I remember that year well because it was the season I followed the club, both home and away. The 98 Jays, under Tim Johnson, split their season opening two-game set at the then Skydome and then lost two out of three to Texas before going on the road and dropping three straight series, two-out-of-three, to the Twins, the Rangers and the Royals. A little over two weeks into the season and they were sitting at 5-9 and the sky was falling. More on the season momentarily, but first a bit on the back story. 1997 had been a miserable season for the Blue Jays, much as 2012 was for the Jays. Cito Gaston was fired with a week to go in the campaign and in the off-season, Joe Carter - one of the last holdovers of the World Series glory years - left as a free agent to join Robbie Alomar and Pat Gillick in Baltimore. General manager Gord Ash, with the organizations blessing, went out on a free agent spending spree in the off-season and landed the likes of catcher Darrin Fletcher, closer Randy Myers, second baseman/utility infielder Craig Grebeck, infielder/DH Juan Samuel, Tony Fernandez (by now a third baseman more than a shortstop), catcher/DH Mike Stanley and outfielder/DH Joe Canseco. Later in the season, they added veteran Tony Phillips who could bounce all over the place but probably was best as a designated hitter at this point. It wasnt exactly the same kind of rebuild Alex Anthopoulos undertook over in the winter because it was largely through free agency and not trades, but it generated the same kind of buzz in the city. Unfortunately, the team as constructed didnt really jell over the first half of the season. Roger Clemens had his second straight magnificent Cy Young season, but Juan Guzman (Ricky Romero) was struggling and frankly the team just had too many veterans who could only really contribute as DHs. They also had a core of blossoming kids in Carlos Delgado, Shawn Green, Shannon SStewart, Jose Cruz Jr. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping. and Alex Gonzalez who needed the chance to assume even greater roles. Sitting just below the .500 mark just before the non-waiver trade deadline of July 31, Ash started culling the veterans. On July 30, he swapped Mike Stanley to Boston. On July 31, he sent Guzman to Baltimore. Tony Phillips went to the Mets, Ed Sprague to the As and finally on August 6, Randy Myers and his hefty contract was shipped to San Diego. The take for the Jays was six or seven prospects, who really made no major contribution to the club that year or in the future. But the moves seemed to improve the chemistry and sparked the team to play much better over the final two months. From August 27 through September 7, the Jays went on an 11-game win streak and actually had a chance to overhaul Boston for the wild card spot. They went on another four-game streak from September 20 through the 23rd but finished the season four games back of the playoff-bound Red Sox. The Jays, 88-74 in Johnsons lone season at the helm, has been the best the club has achieved since winning the World Series in 93. The Blue Jays hit 221 home runs that 98 season. Clemens won his second straight Cy Young, Shawn Green hit 30 homers and stole 30 bases and Canseco set a then club record with 46 homers. The Blue Jays, as mentioned, finished in third place but they wound up 13 games back of the division-winning Yankees, who won 114 games and went on to sweep San Diego in the World Series. If the playoff system of today had existed then, the Blue Jays would have finished ahead of the Angels (85-77) for the second wild card slot. By the following spring, though, Johnson had been fired, Clemens was traded to the Yankees and Canseco was gone as a free agent back to Tampa Bay. The moral of the story, if there is one is that the 2013 Blue Jays still have ample time to get back on track and make a serious run at the post season. However, if the team doesnt come together by mid-season, this could be the most interesting trade deadline since 1998. ' ' '
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