PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks took on the big boys of Major League Baseball in the competition to land Japanese pitching s

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PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks took on the big boys of Major League Baseball in the competition to land Japanese pitching sensation Masahiro Tanaka only to see him sign, hardly to anyones surprise, with the New York Yankees. Alex Delvecchio Red Wings Jersey . Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers, speaking to a handful of reporters in a conference call on Wednesday, thanked the teams ownership for allowing him, for what he said was the first time, to "sit at the table in a high stakes poker game for one of the elite free agents." Towers said the Diamondbacks made "a very competitive offer." But not competitive enough. The 25-year-old right-handers deal with the Yankees pays him $155 million over seven years, in addition to the $20 million due as a posting fee to his Japanese club. Now Towers moves on in search, via free agency or a trade, of help for the Diamondbacks rotation, seeking either a No. 1 starter or a strong No. 2. And, he said, those are hard to find. The Diamondbacks contingent of managing partner Ken Kendrick, Towers, manager Kirk Gibson and star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt met with Tanaka and his entourage about three weeks ago. "All you can do is put your best foot forward, which is what we did," Towers said. The Diamondbacks emphasized their family atmosphere, the weather, the fact that the team trains in Arizona. Tanaka would have been the unquestioned No. 1 pitcher on the staff. That and what undoubtedly was a substantial money offer, certainly by Diamondbacks standards, wasnt enough. There is no large Japanese community in Phoenix. Towers said international players often are lured by the "Yankee pinstripes." He noted the Yankees have two veteran Japanese pitchers who can ease Tanaka into his new life. The Diamondbacks will continue to see what the possibilities are for landing a pitcher. "It doesnt stop just because we didnt get Tanaka," Towers said. But the Diamondbacks dont want to sign any pitcher to a contract longer than three years, Tanaka being an obvious exception. Unsigned free agent starters include Ervin Santana, Matt Garza and Ubaldo Jimenez. Towers insisted that if Arizona does not acquire another starter, hes comfortable with the returning staff, specifically mentioning the possibility of talented young flame-thrower Archie Bradley competing for a spot in the rotation this spring. Because of their early-season trip to Australia to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Diamondbacks will be the first team to gather for spring training. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 6 with the full squad due on Feb. 11. Gustav Nyquist Red Wings Jersey Authentic .com) - A pair of programs shooting for their 10th win of the season get together at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, as the NC State Wolfpack tangle with 22nd-ranked West Virginia during the challenge round of the Gotham Classic. Nicklas Lidstrom Red Wings Jersey . "Ive got a lot of work to do on this team and the sooner that I can get back to my office and start that work, itll be better," he said straight-faced as the rest of the room erupted in laughter. http://www.redwingshockeyauthentic.com/johan-franzen-jersey/ . They started shooting the puck. Joe Pavelski had a hat trick to move into a tie for second in the NHL in goals and the Sharks beat Philadelphia 7-3 Thursday night in the first game for both teams following the Olympic break.ORLANDO, Fla. - The Rockets have worked hard this preseason to build a gritty identity.If their finish against the Magic is any indication, theyve made a lot of progress. Jeff Adriens free throw with 35 seconds to play capped Houstons rally Wednesday night, with the Rockets beating Orlando 90-89 in preseason play.Troy Daniels and Isaiah Canaan led the Rockets with 14 points each and Tarik Black added 10 points.The Rockets (5-2) showed fatigue early, committing nine fouls in the first 11 minutes of the game. Adriens late free throw made up for a flagrant foul he committed earlier in the fourth, when he pulled down Orlandos Dewayne Dedmon by the jersey on a shot attempt.Ive got plenty of fouls to give — Im going to use them all. Its just being aggressive, Adrien said. I cant really be mad at myself for anything, Im an aggressive player and this team needs aggressitivity.Houston trailed by 13 entering the fourth quarter and didnt take its first lead of the second half until just over two minutes left in the game.Nik Vucevic led the Magic with 12 points and six rebounds. Orlando (4-3) tied it at 89 with less than a minute to play and tried to overcome the free throw, but Willie Greens jumper bounced off the rim at the buzzer.Houston coach Kevin McHale took it easy on his projected regular-season starters, resting centre Dwight Howard and limiting the minutes of others. James Harden tried to pick up the slack as best he could with nine first-half points in 18 minutes before taking a seat the rest of the way.The late effort by Houstons reserves killed what was otherwise a celebration of sorts for Vucevic. The Magic have until the end of the month to extend Vucevics rookie contract, but the fourth-year big man said Wednesday that his representatives are in thhe process of finalizing what is expected to be a four-year extension. Tomas Tatar Red Wings Jersey Authentic. I think overall, you take this whole scope and scheme of who he is as an individual, and Im pretty proud that hes wearing an Orlando Magic uniform, Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said.___TIP-INSThe Rockets: Howard had the night off after he played 28 minutes Tuesday night at Miami. He has appeared in just three of the Rockets preseason games after being slowed by an issue with his left knee.The Magic: Channing Frye (sprained left MCL) and Victor Oladipo (sprained right MCL) did not play. The team hasnt given a timetable for their return, and said Frye and Oladipo are being evaluated daily. It is unclear whether they will be available for the Oct. 28 regular-season opener at New Orleans.MAGICAL MEMORIESHoward said the he looks back fondly at his eight seasons in a Magic jersey — even if he doesnt recognize the new faces on the bench. I grew up here in Orlando. Had a lot of great memories, no matter how it ended, Howard said before the game. Looking at the team now, theres nobody left. (Jameer Nelson was) the last of the Mohicans, but I was happy with my time here. I see the progress with this team, where theyre trying to go.WILDCATS REUNIONMagic rookie forward Aaron Gordon and Rockets rookie guard Nick Johnson, who were teammates last season at the University of Arizona, met for the second time as pros Wednesday night. Their first meeting came during summer league.CELEBRITY WATCHPGA golfer Bubba Watson, an Orlando resident, sat courtside Wednesday night.UP NEXTHouston hosts San Antonio on Friday in its final preseason game.Orlando finishes the preseason Friday night at home against Dallas.___Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '