hitter but also would be used in the outfield. Cruz played 70 games in the outfield for Baltimore last season.The Mariners from zgr123's blog
LONDON -- Usually Friday night is one the quietest times in the frenzied world of the English Premier League. John Klingberg Jersey . Players can be found on gaming consoles in hotel rooms on the eve of games, or resting at home in anticipation of a Sunday game. But the pre-game calm will be shattered by the closing of the winter transfer window on Friday, with clubs racing to sign reinforcements or offload rejects for the final time this season. Here are five things to know about the transfer deadline-day and the weekends Premier League matches: CLASH OF THE CHALLENGERSManchester City and Chelsea will be relieved their fixture has been shunted back to Monday, minimizing any disruption for their top-of-the-table meeting. "Its the ultimate test," Chelsea defender Gary Cahill said. "Its going to be a really, really tough game." The City squad hardly needs much tinkering. Manuel Pellegrinis side took its goal tally this season to 115 in all competitions with a 5-1 thumping of Tottenham that took them back to the Premier League summit. At the same time, though, Chelsea was being frustrated by West Ham — drawing 0-0 — and travels to the Etihad three points behind City. The game pits the stingiest defence — Chelsea has conceded 20 in 23 — against the leagues most prolific attack — City has scored 68 in 23. "As a collective unit, as a whole team, were working really hard defensively, not just at the back," Cahill said. Chelsea got the better of City in their last clash, winning 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in October. ARSENAL BLIPBeing knocked off the top has taken the wind out of Arsenals title charge. And after being held at Southampton, the Gunners host a resurgent Crystal Palace on Sunday. "The kind of performance we delivered at Southampton will not move us forward, so lets focus to come back on Sunday and produce a good performance," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. By then will there be any new faces in an Arsenal side looking to produce a first trophy since 2005? Its unclear. "Are we active? Yes. Are we close to sign anybody? No," Wenger said on Thursday. "There is not long now, that is true." Top of the target list is Julian Draxler, but Schalke doesnt seem to be a willing seller. Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt said he was "very convinced" the 20-year-old attacking midfielder will remain at the German club for the rest of the season. Arsenal will be without midfielders Jack Wilshere, who has an ankle problem, and Aaron Ramsey, who faces several weeks out with a thigh injury. LEAKY TOTTENHAMTottenham was brought down to earth with a bang by City on Wednesday as Tim Sherwoods unbeaten start as manager in the league ended. The north London club, which has conceded 11 goals to City this season, has what seems to be an easy trip to Hull on Saturday. "We have to be positive because we are still fifth, three points behind Liverpool," goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said. "So it is open. We just need to be focused." NORTH-EAST DERBYNewcastle is preparing for the derby against Sunderland on Saturday still trying to replace Yohan Cabaye, having received more than $27 million for the midfielder from Paris Saint-Germain this week. Manager Alan Pardew is waiting for a bid for Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier to be accepted. "He has tremendous creative technical ability," Pardew said. Sunderland, which is out of the relegation zone for the first time since August, signed Argentina striker Ignacio Scocco on Thursday from Internacional. MOYES EYES MOMENTUMManchester United is chasing its first back-to-back league wins in a month when the champions face Stoke on Saturday still in seventh place. David Moyes push for the top four is being helped by how easily record-signing Juan Mata slotted into the team for a 2-0 win over Cardiff on Tuesday after joining from Chelsea. "Juan looked like he had been here for years," winger Ashley Young said. "He had only been training for two days and it was his first game but he has gelled straight away." Gump Worsley Stars Jersey . - Maxence Parrot of Bromont, Que. Dan Hamhuis Stars Jersey . During halftime, Love told The Associated Press he would receive treatment Saturday night and hoped to play Monday night against Houston. "I knew that my quad was bothering me pretty bad so I went out there and tried to move around a little bit and it just wasnt quite right," Love said.SEATTLE - Had things come together last season, Nelson Cruzs introduction with the Seattle Mariners would have taken place a year ago.Seattle pursued Cruz last year but when it didnt work out, he went on to lead the majors in home runs playing on a one-year deal in Baltimore. The Mariners were quick to try to find a deal that would work for both sides as soon as this off-season arrived.We were open and honest as we could possibly be and say, This is the guy that we want, Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said Thursday. He was the guy we wanted to bring into this organization and it just came together.Seattle landed the right-handed power bat that was a priority this off-season with a $57 million, four-year contract that was finalized Thursday. He gets a $1 million signing bonus payable by Dec. 31 and yearly salaries of $14 million.Cruz parlayed an $8 million, one-year contract with Baltimore into a long deal with the Mariners after hitting 40 homers and driving in 108 runs for the Orioles. Zduriencik said adding a fourth year to the contract — which will take Cruz to age 38 — was critical to getting the deal done.With Nelson, the fact that because hes such a power guy, and in our game today its so difficult to find, Zduriencik said. In our league he can be a DH which will preserve him somewhat, hes in great shape, hes a really good worker. He may age very well. We had to do that to get him here and we did it.Cruz served a 50-game suspension in 2013 for violations of the major league drug agreement in relation to the sports investigation of the Biogenesis of America clinic. He again referred Thursday to making a mistake taking banned substances and said hes moved on from the suspension.Hell likely hit behind fellow Dominican star Robinson Cano, who will be starting the second season of a $240 million, 10-year contract, and will also reunite with Dominican teammate Fernando Rodney, the Mariners closer.Weve been pretty close, Cruz said of Cano. Hes also one of the reasons why Im here. I think he was pulling for me the whole time. I was pulling for this right here, to be part of this.The Marriners have among the top pitching staffs in the AL but missed the post-season by one game last season due to offensive shortcomings. Custom Dallas Stars Jersey. Cruz fits the need, even if hes never posted big numbers at Safeco Field. Cruz has hit at least 22 homers in every season since 2009 and has been an All-Star three times. Cruzs .271 batting average and .525 slugging percentage last season with Baltimore was his highest since 2010 with Texas.Cruz has hit .240 with nine homers and 19 RBIs in 52 games in Seattle — better than his .185 career average in Oakland and .218 in Anaheim.I just believe great players make players around them better and I think having Nelson in the middle of our lineup is not only going to give (Cano) a lot more pitches to hit, but whoever is hitting behind him will have an opportunity to drive in runs as well, Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said. Obviously, hes going to make guys better around him in that lineup.The middle of Seattles order is no longer filled with questions. With Cano, Cruz and All-Star Kyle Seager, the Mariners have a legitimate 3-4-5 to build around. McClendon said Cruz would be primarily a designated hitter but also would be used in the outfield. Cruz played 70 games in the outfield for Baltimore last season.The Mariners would still like to add another offensive piece to further solidify that lineup and expect to be involved in a lot of conversations at the Winter Meetings. Zduriencik acknowledged that a few years ago Seattle may not have been a desirable place for free agents to consider.I think the perception of this organization is changing, Zduriencik said.NOTES: Cruz received a limited no-trade provision. Within 30 days of the deals approval by Major League Baseball, he can designate eight teams he cannot be traded to without his approval during 2015-16. He would get a $50,000 bonus if elected to start in the All-Star game, $25,000 if selected as a reserve and $50,000 each for winning a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger. He also would get $150,000 if hes voted MVP, $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $100,000 for World Series MVP. 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