MINNEAPOLIS -- After three consecutive years of 90-plus losses, Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan is hoping a rare in-s

MINNEAPOLIS -- After three consecutive years of 90-plus losses, Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan is hoping a rare in-season, free-agent signing will keep his team in contention the rest of the summer. Will Barton Nuggets Jersey . Minnesota signed first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales to a one-year, prorated, $12 million contract on Sunday. The Cuban-born slugger, who hit .277 with 23 homers and 80 RBIs in 156 games with the Seattle Mariners last season, has been in Miami working out while waiting to sign. "Why not the Twins?" Ryan asked during a press conference announcing the signing. "I read there were probably a handful of clubs that were chasing Kendrys. We were ahead of many of those clubs in the standings." The Twins have lost 291 games the last three seasons, but are 29-31 this year, five games back in the AL Central and 2 1/2 back in the wild card standings. Morales, who turns 31 on June 20, had been unsigned because teams were hesitant to surrender a compensatory first-round pick to sign him. Since the Twins signed him after the MLB draft, they do not have to give up a coveted pick. The prorated portion of Morales contract will total slightly more than $7.4 million. "It just made sense," said Ryan, who is back in the GM chair after stepping away during spring training to battle skin cancer. For Morales, the deal gives him an opportunity to provide some power to an inconsistent Twins offence in desperate need of a full-time designated hitter. "It wasnt easy for a baseball player to watch baseball games when he knows he can play," Morales said through an interpreter. "But you have to be mentally tough and be prepared so when this opportunity does come around, youre ready to do what you gotta do." In 620 career games, Morales has 102 home runs and 345 RBIs. He also missed 1 1/2 years after breaking his leg celebrating a game-ending home run on May 29, 2010, when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. Since Morales is out of options and not injured, the Twins cant send him to the minors to shake off the rust from missing the seasons first 60 games. Hell work out with the team and take the field when hes ready. "Its a day to day thing, Ill be working out and talking to (manager Ron Gardenhire) and the coaching staff," Morales said. "When Im ready, Ill be in there. We just want to do it the right way." Morales greeted his new teammates in the clubhouse before Sundays game against the Houston Astros and spent some time with Tony Oliva, Minnesotas most famous Cuban-born player. Since the Twins arent known for making splashy moves, especially during the season, players viewed the signing as a signal from management that theyre serious about contending. "Its a good signing. A lot of us are real excited right now," Joe Mauer said. "It tells you how close this division is and us adding is definitely a great thing." To make room on the 25-man roster, Minnesota released Jason Kubel, who appeared in 798 games over parts of eight seasons with the Twins. He was hitting .224 this year, but just .158 since April. Jusuf Nurkic Nuggets Jersey . TSNs Farhan Lalji reports the Edmonton Eskimos non-import DT has a workout scheduled with an NFL team next week and isnt expected to sign a deal with any team until then. Alex English Jersey . The 20-year-old Inoue landed a series of combinations and the bout was stopped 2 minutes, 54 seconds into the sixth round. Inoue, the first Japanese boxer to claim a world title in just his sixth professional fight, improved to 6-0 with five knockouts. http://www.nuggetsproshop.com/Gary-Harris-Nuggets-Jersey/ . UCI President Brian Cookson said Wednesday the commission will investigate allegations "that the UCI has been involved in wrongdoing in the past -- allegations which have done so much to hurt the credibility of the UCI and our sport.BROSSARD, Que. - It is getting down to crunch time at the Montreal Canadiens camp.The Canadiens made five cuts on Thursday, including defencemen Greg Pateryn and Davis Drewiske, to reduce the training camp roster to 28 players.Forwards Sven Andrighetto, Jake Dowell and Gabriel Dumont were also sent to the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs, who are holding training camp in St. Johns, N.L.Among those who escaped the cuts were forwards Christian Thomas, Jacob de la Rose and Jiri Sekac, defencemen Nathan Beaulieu, Jarred Tinordi, Darren Dietz and Francis Bouillon and goaltender Dustin Tokarski.Montreal also agreed to a one-year, two-way deal with former Carolina forward Drayson Bowman, who was invited to join the Canadiens camp on a professional tryout.The survivors are expected to see action in pre-season games against the Ottawa Senators on Friday and Saturday nights. Teams have until Tuesday to get down to the 23-man roster limit.It is likely that Beaulieu, who played in the post-season in the spring, will make the NHL club, but it may be between Tinordi and Bouillon for the job as the seventh defenceman on the depth chart.The six-foot-six Tinordi has had an up-and-down camp, but coach Michel Therrien said he likes his physical play. If he is sent down, the team can turn to returning veteran Bouillon, who was invited to camp on a tryout.In Francis case, its not an audition, said Therrien. We know exactly what weve got.After we make our evaluation of the young players, then well make a decision. We need to see if the young defencemen are ready to play in the NHL.Bouillon, who turns 39 on Oct. 177, looked relieved to still be in camp. Malik Beasley Nuggets Jersey. I know Im in competition with the young guys, but the best I can do is show up on the ice and show that I can still play in this league, he said. The rest I have no control over.The big surprise was Dietz, a rushing defenceman who was limited to 34 games in Hamilton last season due to injuries. The Medicine Hat, Alta., native has been impressive in camp.I like his speed, said Therrien. Hes got poise with the puck.He can jump up in the play. Well give him another chance to see what hes got.The goal is to make the hockey team and nothing is accomplished yet, said Dietz.At forward, the speedy, five-foot-nine Thomas has made himself noticed in every pre-season game hes played.There should be a spot open on right wing, and the son of former NHL winger Steve Thomas has made a good case, although he is up against gifted six-foot-two newcomer Sekac, who looks to have the edge so far. The 19-year-old De la Rose appears to be a long shot to crack the lineup.Everyones goal here is to have a good camp and make the Canadiens and this just means Im a step closer, said Thomas. Hopefully I made a good impression with the staff and that it stays like that.Therrien said Pateryn needs to adjust to the pace of play in the NHL, while Drewiske simply needs playing time after missing most of last season with a shoulder injury.In goal, the Canadiens are still undecided on whether to keep Peter Budaj, the incumbent back-up to Carey Price, or Tokarski, who was chosen over Budaj to play when Price was injured in the Eastern Conference final. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys NFL Jerseys From China China NFL Gear Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Stitched NFL Jerseys ' ' '