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TORONTO -- General manager Alex Anthopoulos feels the Toronto Blue Jays are in a better position than last year despite finishing fourth in the American League East for a second straight season. cheap jerseys . "Although the wins arent the same, I think were in a similar place," he said Thursday at a media conference. "But I think our jumping off point is much better. I think we have a better core in place right now." The Blue Jays posted an 81-81 record this season under new manager John Farrell after defeating the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Wednesday. Last year, under Cito Gaston, who was retiring as manager, the club finished 85-77. Anthopoulos said all the coaches from this season will be offered contracts. He expects them all to return, saying they did the best with what they had to work with. He also praised Farrell for the job he did and appreciated his frank self-appraisals as a first-year manager. "You look at our monthly wins and weve been pretty much in the same spot the whole time, although we didnt get there in the same way," Anthopoulos said comparing 2011 to 2010. "Theres a lot of comparisons to last season. "I think were in a very similar spot, one was 85 wins and one was 81 wins." The 2010 season featured a 54-homer breakout year by right-fielder Jose Bautista. He came back this year with 43 homers and a better overall season. Some of the top performers in 2010 were more experienced players who left as free agents or were traded like long-time centre-fielder Vernon Wells and starting pitcher Shaun Marcum. But younger players have emerged such as third baseman Brett Lawrie of Langley, B.C., who was acquired from Milwaukee in a trade for Marcum last December and was impressive after making his major-league debut Aug. 5. Outfielder Eric Thames also emerged, putting himself in the picture for left field in 2012. Ricky Romero established himself as the ace of the staff and late-season call-up Henderson Alvarez has earned his way into the projected starting rotation for next season. While the 2010 team led the majors in home runs, Anthopoulos said the Blue Jays did not dominate in any one area in 2011 so he is looking for improvements in all aspects. "We can improve pretty much in all areas," he said. "I dont think theres one area this season where we ranked first or were just a dominant club. Well look at all of them. "Were not going to be stuck on what we have to do in one area and we ignore the others." The bullpen could again be hit by free-agent defections including Frank Francisco who had a strong finish to reach 17 saves. "Its definitely an area that we need to improve and you like to have someone who start to finish is a bona fide closer." Anthopoulos said. "Thats something were going to look to add if we can." Starting pitching could use an upgrade, but Anthopoulos said if that comes from outside the organization it would be someone who could pitch in the middle or front-end of the rotation. The Jays GM feels there is enough depth in young pitchers who could benefit from the experience of pitching in the back end of the rotation if needed. "We have to feel theres a clear upgrade, especially because of the depth were starting to compile," he said. The depth that is building in the minors could also be used for trades. "We think we have the prospects to line up a trade," Anthopoulos said. "Being able to do it is certainly harder. Were open-minded to that if theres a trade that can make us better, and were going to use our prospects to make us better, wed definitely look to do that." As for spending money on free agents, Anthopoulos said the Blue Jays CEO and president Paul Beeston always says to him, "Make your case." Anthopoulos said there are a lot of good players available in free agency including Blue Jays current second baseman Kelly Johnson and Francisco. "Again it has to line up," he said. "The best way to explain it is we like a lot of players but we like them at a certain price." Hes not sure that the Blue Jays are ready yet to go out and overpay for a top free agent, which might be more likely if he felt that the team was one player away from contending. "I dont know right now if were one piece away from putting it altogether," he said. "I dont know if anyone is good enough to say that. To overpay, youre open-minded to it a little bit but I dont think were going to sign someone to a contract we dont believe in. From our standpoint, I dont think were one player away is probably the best way to put it. But still I think theres value out there." They might be more than one piece away from completing the puzzle, but Anthopoulos feels the team is in an improved position. "I think the minor leagues have taken a large step forward, with the five playoff teams, with the development of the prospects and what we hope is going to be two strong drafts," he said. "Were in a better spot. That being said we need to try to take that step forward. Thats going to be the greatest challenge to try to improve the club." wholesale nfl jerseys . But the Montreal Alouettes kicker found himself sharing the spotlight Wednesday with quarterback Anthony Calvillo (outstanding player) and injured tackle Josh Bourke (top lineman) as division nominees. NFL Jerseys Cyber Monday . -- Vanessa Davidsons goal midway through the second period proved to be the winner as the Montreal Stars defended their Clarkson Cup Canadian Womens Hockey League championship title with a 4-2 victory over Brampton HC on Sunday. http://www.cheapjerseysfox.com/ . Off-Season Game Plan looks at the Bruins roster and what GM Peter Chiarelli might do to give the Bruins a shot at back-to-back titles. Cheap New Orleans Saints Jerseys . Forte sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee early in a loss to Kansas City on Dec. 4 and sat out the rest of the season. Cheap New Orleans Saints Jerseys . The right-hander was traded from Milwaukee to New York for cash on Wednesday, two days after the Brewers designated him for assignment.SAN FRANCISCO -- Last year, Jim Harbaugh got to know San Francisco safety Donte Whitner well during a week in Ohio in the middle of the season. And so many others, too. Perhaps a little bit of bonding time together across the country will be good for Harbaughs 49ers right now after a mistake-filled 24-13 loss Sunday at Minnesota. It was a rare moment in which the Niners were outplayed on both sides of the ball. The 49ers (2-1) are practicing this week at Youngstown State to avoid a return trip to the West Coast before facing the New York Jets on Sunday. Its another destination training camp of sorts -- just like last season. It even came at the same time in late September, with the 49ers then atop the NFC West at 2-1. "We got very close and thats kind of where we got into our groove last season," left tackle Joe Staley said. The plan seemed to work after that 2011 stay in eastern Ohio: San Francisco rallied from a 20-0 deficit to stun the Eagles 24-23 in Philadelphia a week after a win in Cincinnati. After the thriller in Philly, Harbaugh said: "Thanks Youngstown, youve been good to us. Thats as good a win as I can ever remember being a part of." Harbaugh, for one, felt his body clock became acclimated to East Coast time. He wont speak for his players. "We felt like it was a good thing then," he said Monday in Ohio. "(You) take out the air travel somewhere in the neighbourhood of eight hours of flight time in what would be a five-day period. Thats one of the biggest ones. Also the ability to be here as a team in a unique way during the season, the advantages that the town provides. The facilities at Youngstown State University are excellent." As has been the case since Harbaugh arrived with much fanfare from Stanford in January 2011, his players are on board with the schedule -- even if it means being away from family and friends for a week. Yet Harbaugh points to the handful of 49ers who will have a chance to get home to their families in Ohio and on the East Coast this week. "I like that. Here, we get to go home after practice," Frank Gore said, speaking of the Santa Clara team headquarters. "We go to Youngstown, after practice were all in the same hotels. I think that makes your team grow." On Monday, Harbaaugh met Hall of Famer Jim Brown for the first time when they had lunch at the team hotel in Boardman. cheap jerseys. Brown, who knows the 49ers York ownership family, was in town on business and met informally with Harbaugh, general manager Trent Baalke and some players. Gore was one of them, Harbaugh said. "All the running backs made a point to shake hands and take pictures and ask questions," he said. "It was an honour. It was enlightening. I learned some good things, talking to Mr. Brown. My family, especially my dad, has always been a big fan of Jim Brown. We covered several topics. Learned more about him, his story, how he saw the game. How he sees the game right now. That he loves football. And that he has a deep abiding respect for it. And hes someone that wants to see others benefit from what he knows. So, not hoarding that knowledge, but sharing it." Knowing Harbaugh, he will find a way to weave some of that information into his conversations with the team this week ahead of facing the Jets (2-1). Quarterback Alex Smith certainly will be eager to get back on the practice field after throwing his first interception late in the game. Same goes for Gore, who was held to 63 yards on 12 carries and lost a fumble in the fourth quarter. Smith had gone a franchise-best 249 straight passes without throwing a pick. He wound up 24 for 35 for 204 yards and a 1-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis on Sunday. "Didnt execute, bad execution, especially on the offence side," Smith said. "Leaving too much in the red zone. Didnt get into a rhythm. Continually putting ourselves in third down situations, makes for a long day." While Harbaugh didnt share specifics about what he said to his team after losing to the Vikings, he made it clear theyll be ready for the next one Sunday against Tim Tebow and the Jets at the Meadowlands. "What we believe in is pretty consistent. You find something to believe in and go to work on that," Harbaugh said. "What we believe in is preparation. We go to work and we attack it. Thats our message. ... We didnt play our best. Well look at the ways to go to work and fix that -- players, coaches -- thats something were shouldered with doing. Thats our responsibility to get that done." ' ' '
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