miaowang123: working in the minors

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PHILADELPHIA – Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis spoke to Florida Panthers boss Dale Tallon on Thursday morning about the prospects of trading up for the first overall pick in Fridays draft. Baseball Jerseys 2022 . "But at this point," Nonis said a few hours after the conversation, "I dont think theres a deal there for us." Despite interest in moving up the ladder of the first round – from where they currently stand at eighth overall – Nonis didnt believe the current price-tag fit the bill for his club, particularly if it meant sacrificing young talent. The cost was simply too high. "It is for us," Nonis said of the first overall pick. "It may not be for other teams. I know that Dale is serious about moving it – I think hes happy to keep it as well – but hes not going to give that pick away. "Theres been dialogue, but we havent made any traction and as it stands right now, I would expect that were going to stay at eight." Having hoarded a slew of promising building blocks in recent years (including Aleksander Barkov with the second overall selection in 2013) and with the draft lacking in a consensus, slam-dunk superstar, Tallon is inclined to give up the rights for the top spot. But hes labeled the price for the pick as including a top young player, one who can step right into the Panthers lineup, and perhaps a pick or something of similar value. "Somebody has to knock our socks off for us to make the move," Tallon told TSN recently. In a different draft, Nonis might be prepared to pay that price. He was second in command to Brian Burke at the time of the 2009 draft when Burke spoke openly and aggressively about his pursuit of the first overall pick in a draft that featured star John Tavares. "That price-tag is different than possibly moving up to take the player whos going to go [first] here," Nonis said. "It doesnt mean that the player who goes [first] is not going to be a great player, but those price-tags are different and I think every team in the league would tell you that. Theres a number or a value that we place on moving up and it wouldnt include our top young players, no." Beyond Aaron Ekblad, theres a definite aura of unpredictability at the top of this draft, making the possibility of the Leafs landing a quality asset at eight all the more likely. Toronto has demonstrated a strong inclination toward selecting North American players in recent years, picking just seven Europeans since 2009 and none in the first round since 2006 when Jiri Tlusty was picked 13th overall. They may not be able to land the top centre theyve long desired with the eighth pick – Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and Leon Draisaitl all figure to be off the board – but theres potential to add front-line skill at wing, perhaps in the form of Nick Ritchie or Jake Virtanen (Nikolaj Ehlers and William Nylander are both intriguing, but neither seem to fit the current Toronto mold). "This [draft] may not have the superstar at the top, but I think most teams would agree theres some pretty good players in this draft that are going to be useful players on good teams," said Nonis. "Its important when youre picking at eight that you get one of those players." Back in 2008, with Cliff Fletcher minding the helm, Toronto moved up two spots in the draft to land Luke Schenn with the fifth overall pick, sending their first round selection (seventh overall) to the Islanders along with picks in the second and third round. The Leafs selected hulking centre Frederik Gauthier with their top selection a year ago (21st overall), adding Morgan Rielly to their young mix in 2012. MLB Jerseys Sale . -- Howie Kendrick had a two-run single in his first game batting leadoff this season, Chris Iannetta hit a pair of RBI singles and the Los Angeles Angels beat Cleveland 6-4 Tuesday night, sending the Indians to their fifth straight defeat. Baseball Jerseys 2021 . No pretty goals on this night, just get to the front of the net and fight for a chance. CHICAGO -- Ryne Sandberg grinned the whole time. On a hot, sweaty day, the Hall of Famer looked cool and comfortable. Back at Wrigley Field for the first time as a major league manager, this was exactly where he wanted to be. Sandberg brought his Philadelphia Phillies to Chicago on Friday to open a three-game series against the Cubs. It was his first trip to the ballpark where he rose to prominence during a 16-year playing career since he was promoted to the interim job on Aug. 16 after Charlie Manuel was fired. "It means so much," Sandberg said from the visitors dugout on Friday. "A little different view from this angle here looking out but other than that, this was a place that was very comfortable for me as a player. It always solved any slumps that I was in as a hitter." Sandbergs consistent, steady play over 15 seasons in Chicago turned him into one of the most beloved figures in the history of the woebegone franchise. Nicknamed "Ryno," he finished his career with a .285 batting average, 282 homers and 1,061 RBIs. The second baseman had his No. 23 retired by the team in 2005, the same year he was enshrined in Cooperstown. He got quite the reception in his return to Chicagos cozy neighbourhood ballpark. The marquee at one neighbouring bar read "WELCOME HOME RYNO," and the Cubs showed highlights from Sandbergs career on the scoreboard in right field before the game, along with a welcome back message. The smallish afternoon crowd cheered when he was introduced along with Philadelphias starting lineup, and again when he brought the lineup card out to home plate. "The guy coming back to a place that he was a Hall of Famer deserves a lot of attention," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. "He had one heck of a career here in Chicago. On the field, off the field, the ultimate professional." The 53-year-old Sandberg also began his coaching career in Chicagos minor league system, working his way up from managing Class A Peoria to Triple-A Iowa over four seasons. But he was passed over twice when the Cubs were looking for a manager, first when Mike Quade was retained by Jim Hendry in 2010 and again when Theo Epstein selected Sveum for the role two years ago.. Cheap Nike MLB Jerseys. If Sandberg harbours any ill will over the twin rejections, he showed no signs of it Friday. "Im doing what I want to do, so thats the main thing," said Sandberg, who managed Philadelphias Triple-A team for two seasons before beginning this year as the third base coach and infield instructor under Manuel. "Thats baseball, and moving on was important for me to get back to the major leagues, the way that I looked at it and the way I felt." Sandberg actually was drafted by Philadelphia and broke into the majors with the Phillies in 1981, playing 13 games in September and October. He got six at-bats during his first stint, but managed to get his first major league hit in a 14-0 loss at the Cubs on Sept. 27. That was it for Sandbergs playing time in Philadelphia, which traded the infielder and Larry Bowa to Chicago for speedy Ivan de Jesus that January. It turned into one of the most lopsided trades in the long history of both franchises. The change of scenery helped Sandberg blossom into one of baseballs best players. He won the NL MVP award in 1984, when he hit .314 with 19 homers and 84 RBIs while powering the Cubs to their first playoff appearance since 1945. He also made the All-Star team for the first time and won his second Gold Glove that year. While the Phillies are still getting to know Sandberg as a manager, his long playing career certainly helps with his credibility in their veteran clubhouse. "When he played, being a middle infielder and the captain of the team, he (was) already a manager," shortstop Jimmy Rollins said. "He (was) a manager on the field, game situations." Sandberg said he learned a lot about managing while working in the minors. Structure and organization are important to him, all the way down to his ticket plan for his return to Wrigley -- just family, which was up to 15 as of Friday morning, including five grandsons. Going through all those bus rides in the minors while working his way back to the majors as a coach also deepened his appreciation for working in the majors, making his games in Chicago more special. "I take it all in now and relish every moment, so Im looking forward to it," he said. ' ' '