CHICAGO - General manager Rick Hahn contacted a representative for Melky Cabrera right after the World Series, and agent Peter Greenberg said the free-agent outfielder appreciated the interest from the Chicago White Sox and wanted to know more about the teams off-season plans. Discount Fake NBA Jerseys .Then the White Sox signed reliever Zach Duke and first baseman Adam LaRoche, and they traded for pitcher Jeff Samardzija and signed closer David Robertson during baseballs winter meetings in San Diego.Actually was on the plane getting ready to take off from San Diego on Thursday, I sent Peter a text and said, I dont know how we would pay for this, but I hope at least at this point Melky sees how he fits and why we want him, Hahn said. And that led to a series of exchanges.The result was a $42 million, three-year contract for the switch-hitting Cabrera that was announced on Tuesday, another bold move in an impressive off-season for Hahn & Co. Samardzija, Robertson and Cabrera then pulled on their White Sox jerseys later in the day and posed for television cameras and photographers while Chicagos front office basked in the glow of a major chunk of its off-season work.So how was your week? a beaming Hahn cracked soon after he sat down for the introductory press conference.The 30-year-old Cabrera will make $13 million next year, $14 million in 2016 and $15 million in the final season of the deal. The agreement, which also includes a limited no-trade provision, put Chicago over its planned payroll for next season, but Hahn credited the aggressiveness of owner Jerry Reinsdorf and the positive response from White Sox fans to the teams earlier moves for making the contract happen.I think that this is a club from top to bottom that you can now start that process, you can start to raise your level of expectations and you can dream a little bit, Executive Vice-President Kenny Williams said.Cabrera could slot in quite nicely behind leadoff hitter Adam Eaton in Chicagos suddenly deep lineup. He hit .301 with 16 homers and 73 RBIs in 139 games with Toronto last season. He also is a .336 hitter with seven homers and 24 RBIs in 34 games at U.S. Cellular Field.Cabrera, who was one of the top bats on the free-agent market, said the decision to play for the White Sox was based on a variety of factors.It was a decision that I made with my family, Cabrera said through a translator. Im happy about the decision. My family is happy. I like the city and I like the ballpark and I like the White Sox.Cabrera missed the final part of the 2012 season with San Francisco when he was suspended for 50 games for a positive test for artificial testosterone. But Hahn said he had no concern about bringing him in.Major League Baseballs drug agreement is set up in a way where there is specific punishment in place that he has served, and then youre subject to a heightened level of scrutiny which he has been able to perform under for the past two years, Hahn said, referring to additional testing given to players found to have violated the program.Were very confident that the level of play will continue going forward.It was a homecoming of sorts for Samardzija, who was a White Sox fan when he was growing up in northwest Indiana. Samardzija also played college football for Notre Dame and spent the first 6 1/2 seasons of his major league career with the Cubs before he was traded to Oakland last summer.To be able to come here and play and be a part of it is really exciting, Samardzija said. It feels like I came full circle with my professional career. Just excited to be here, and excited to take advantage of all the emotions and excitement I have and just let it all out on the field.The addition of Samardzija gives the White Sox a strong 1-2 at the top of a rotation that includes lefty ace Chris Sale. The right-hander has made 33 starts and pitched more than 200 innings in each of the past two seasons.Seeking organizational depth, the White Sox also were closing in on a minor league deal with veteran right-hander Brad Penny that would include an invitation to spring training. Penny was 2-1 with a 6.58 ERA in eight games with Miami last season.Robertson agreed to a $46 million, four-year contract with Chicago after he saved 39 games for the New York Yankees in his only year in the closer role. The White Sox struggled to close out games in 2014, with Jake Petricka finishing with a team-high 14 saves.Robertson and Cabrera were teammates with the Yankees when they won the World Series in 2009.I want to win again, Robertson said. I want to see another parade and be a part of that excitement.___Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap Wholesale Fake NBA Jerseys . A larger-than-life personality known for his intimidating style in the 18-yard box, Schmeichels career spanned some 20 years -- including a memorable tenure at Manchester United. Fake NBA Jerseys Sale . Appearing on TSN 1050 on Tuesday, Sean McAdam of Comcast SportsNet New England reported that the Blue Jays, along with a number of other playoff contenders were in the mix for the Boston ace. http://www.fakenbajerseys.com/ . -- The Seattle Seahawks and wide receiver Sidney Rice have agreed to terms on a deal.One is a legend in the CFL. The other is in his first pro training camp. For Ricky Ray and Anthony Coombs, the connection they share is more than just playing on the offensive side of the ball; more than just wearing the same double-blue uniform. They are brothers -- union brothers. While members of the CFLPA were in CBA negotiations with league officials in a hotel conference room near Torontos Pearson International Airport, 20 kilometres to the northeast the Argonauts were holding their first practice of the season for rookies and quarterbacks. The most recognizable player on the field on Wednesday was Ray. Entering his 12th season in the league, his third with the Argos, the Northern Californian is pragmatic in his approach to the labour situation, which to a large extent, is out of his control. "We just have to wait and see," said Ray. "Obviously I stand by the players union and what were fighting for and hopefully well be able to come to an agreement." What has he thought of the process to date? "Im not in the meetings," said Ray. "Its hard for me to comment on things because I havent been in there listening to whats going on, but theyre fighting for what they want, were fighting for what we want, and hopefully we can come to an agreement and share whats going on with this league. I think a lot of good things are happening in the CFL - new stadiums, a new team coming back, seems like were growing pretty well, so hopefully we can find some middle ground and all benefit. There are few players in the league that garner the same respect, on or off the field, than the 34-year old does. When he gives advice people usually take notice. He took the opportunity to pass along a helping hand to those rookies who may be going through this type of distraction for the first time. "All you can focus on, especially the rookies, is out here (on the field)," Ray continued. "They cant be thinking about whats going on and whats going to happen. Theyve just got to take the time they have right now and do the best they can to be focused and make the team." Ray is very mild mannered and leads by example as opposed to being overly vocal. That said; hes used to the give and take with members of the media and there are days when its easy to tell that hed rather be doing something - anything - else than being interviewed. Fake NBA Jerseys China. . This topic seemed to hit home, however, and in an answer that was longer than the norm for him, the signal caller continued his advice for those newcomers trying to become his teammate. "Thats what youve got to do sometimes when youre an athlete. There are a lot of outside distractions, whether its at home or anywhere else, and when you step on this football field, be able to focus and do your job." Coombs is one of those youngsters in an uncommon situation in the long history of the CFL. Hes entering his first season in the shadow of a work stoppage. Selected with the third-overall pick in the CFL draft a fortnight earlier, Coombs arrived at camp focused on the on-field activities, not what was happening in the labour dispute. "Theres a lot of stuff going on," said the running back. "I tend to just focus on what I can control. As a rookie Ive already got a lot of playbook stuff coming at me so Ive got a lot of stuff that I need to learn, so Im trying not to focus on the business side or whatever politics that are going on around me, it would just distract me from my play." A pretty mature answer for a 21-year old. He says hes read some articles on the dispute, but says even some of the veterans dont seem to know everything that going on. He just wants to maintain his focus. "The advice I was told is just worry about what you have to do," said the University of Manitoba product. The first game on the Argos schedule is Monday, June 9. Its a preseason game in Winnipeg, not only the city where he grew up, but the game would be played on the same field that he starred for the Bisons last year. If the game isnt a casualty of the labour dispute and hes fortunate enough to play, he has one wish. "Hopefully my hometown will cheer for me, not boo me," Coombs said with a chuckle. The rookie RB is hopeful the game will be played, as is the veteran QB Ray, who in one sentence summed up perfectly the feeling of players, owners, and most importantly, CFL fans. "I think all of us want to see training camp start and the season get underway on time, so hopefully they come to an agreement." Amen. ' ' '