TORONTO – It appears Melky Cabreras time with the Blue Jays wont extend beyond two seasons, general manager Alex Anthopoulos all but assuring that with Wednesdays trade with the Mariners, a one-for-one which sends pitcher J. Kyle Walker Jersey .A. Happ to the Pacific Northwest in exchange for outfielder, and Canadian, Michael Saunders. The hump day business didnt end there. Less than 24 hours after non-tendering Justin Smoak, the Jays signed the first baseman to a $1-million contract for 2015. Saunders, a 28-year-old from Victoria, B.C., can play all three outfield spots but with Jose Bautista locked down in right field and a number of options including Dalton Pompey and Kevin Pillar for centre field, Saunders is being pegged as the everyday left fielder. A left-handed bat, Saunders projects to hit toward the bottom of the order, an obvious comment considering Jose Reyes, Russell Martin, Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson appear locks at the top. Saunders is arbitration eligible, coming off a year in which he made $2.3-million, so hell get a raise but hell be cheaper than Happ (due $6.7-million). Thats nothing to sniff at as Anthopoulos looks for ways to accrue talent while prudently spending available dollars. Its believed the Blue Jays and Cabrera still cant agree on the players value. Now 30, it was in the middle of the 2012 season when Cabrera was baseballs leading hitter. He was closing in on a five-year extension with the San Francisco Giants, believed to be in the neighbourhood of $75-80-million, a deal which got shelved in the wake of Cabreras positive test for a performance enhancing drug. Cabrera is trying to recoup as much of that lost contract as possible. The Jays see it differently, thrilled with Cabreras 2014 but just as concerned about investing in a player with drug and health history. Anthopoulos is careful not to compare Cabreras and Saunders offensive abilities, but he thinks hes hit on something with Saunders glove. Hes an above average defender in left field, which is important, said Anthopoulos. I mean, I know this wasnt talked about that much, but at least our internal evaluations, from a metrics standpoint, we were below average defensively in the outfield last year. Were trying to get better. Im not calling any player out. Im saying overall, as an outfield group, we didnt have the greatest year so were looking to get better if we can. The Blue Jays dont have a defined ace starting pitcher. Guys like Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey would benefit from improved outfield defence. The problem didnt fall solely in Cabreras lap, however. When Anthony Gose wasnt in centrefield, there were problems there and that affects the corner outfielders. Saunders was limited to 78 games last season thanks to shoulder and oblique injuries, but if he can duplicate his numbers (eight home runs, 126 wRC+, .791 OPS) over a full year, the loss of Cabreras offence (16 home runs, 125 wRC+, .808 OPS) wont sting quite as badly. Also, as stated before, Saunders wont occupy Cabreras spot in the batting order and so he wont be expected to set the table for Bautistas, Encarnacions and Donaldsons thunder. By dealing Happ (4.22 ERA, 4.26 FIP, 133 strike outs in 158 innings pitched last season), Anthopoulos clears a spot in the rotation for Aaron Sanchez. The 22-year-old dazzled in 24 relief appearances (1.09 ERA, 2.80 FIP, 27 strikeouts and 14 hits allowed in 33 innings pitched) following his July promotion. Anthopoulos was clear, Sanchez will have to earn the job in spring training, but assuming he does it doesnt sound as though hell be working under an innings limit. People say 20-percent, 30 innings, well is 30 innings if you threw 100 the year before the same as if you threw 180? Is 20-percent of 100 the same as 20-percent of 180 and wheres the science to it, said Anthopoulos. You do monitor. You give him rest. You stay on top of it and I dont think you stay locked in to a number. As of now the starting rotation, in no particular order, consists of Marcus Stroman, R.A. Dickey, Sanchez, Mark Buehrle and Drew Hutchison. The likes of Marco Estrada, Daniel Norris, Todd Redmond, Liam Hendriks and Jeff Francis will back fill. Estrada and Redmond would start the season in the bullpen. Norris, a top prospect coming off of elbow surgery to clean out bone spurs, would continue his seasoning at Triple-A Buffalo. Hendriks and Francis, on minor league deals, also would toil for the Bisons. Smoak has the inside track to get most of the starts at first base; Encarnacion will get most of his starts as the designated hitter. Theres concern about Smoaks offence, and rightfully so, but hes a steady-handed defender who should better pick throws in the dirt. Getting out of the American League West and into the East, playing at Rogers Centre and visiting Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park and Oriole Park often should benefit Smoaks bat. Its difficult to imagine he wont improve on last seasons dismal .202/.275/.339 with the Mariners. The club still has questions in centrefield – do you hand the spot to Pompey after just 17 big league games? How does Kevin Pillar figure in? What about second base? Theres much to be desired amongst the group, which includes Maicer Izturis, Ryan Goins, Steve Tolleson and Devon Travis. Theres also the matter of the bullpen, which Anthopoulos considers to be his top priority now. The general manager, who prefers to conduct his business away from the frenzy that is the annual winter meetings (which take place next week in San Diego), has more to do. But Anthopoulos win-now roster is starting to take a clearer shape. Eliaquim Mangala Manchester City Jersey . John Albert Elway, 24, was booked into jail early Saturday morning after an incident near a college campus in downtown Denver, according to jail records. Manchester City Jerseys . Thats the feeling that eight Canadian Football League teams are experiencing right now in advance of the expansion draft to stock the Ottawa Redblacks. http://www.authenticmanchestercityshop.com/Authentic-Fernandinho-Manchester-City-Jersey/ . The All Blacks played their best rugby of recent years when they beat South Africa 38-27 in Johannesburg two weeks ago, clinching the Rugby Championships in a match which has been hailed as one of the best ever played.The festive period is officially over. Back to work and back to reality for the masses. While most of us were obliging in the gluttony of the holiday season, the Barclays Premier League was in full swing. The festive season is the busiest time of the year and often times determines where things go from here. Some take a step forward. Others take a step back. Heres what you missed while you were eating, drinking and being merry: the winners and losers of the festive period. Winners Chelsea - Thorough. Calculated. Successful. The season has been an example of process for Jose Mourinho and Chelsea. Step by step, a steady build and team execution. The holiday season was a clinic for Chelsea. After conceding seven goals in three matches against Premier League lesser likes, Chelsea put on a defensive clinic over the last fortnight, shutting out Arsenal, Swansea City and Southampton. The Blues also picked up a win against tricky Liverpool, capping off a momentum-building period. Mourinhos side doesnt have the natural team goal-scoring prowess of Manchester City. But Mourinhos approach and the players implementation put Chelsea in prime position for a genuine title push. Through squad rotation and proper substitutions, Chelsea is a team on the rise. Emmanuel Adebayor - A managerial change and new tactics can do wonders. Adebayor was cast a misfit with his Spurs career predicted done and dusted under Andre Villas-Boas, but Tim Sherwood and a preferred 4-4-2 has given the Togolese opportunity to shine. Adebayor has rewarded his new manager with three goals in four games over the festive period, helping Spurs pick up 10 points out of a possible 12. Its an incredible turnaround for the 29-year-old, who had only one previous appearance on the league season. The movement has been top and so has the finishing. Four starts in four games, Adebayor returning to form gives goals to a Spurs team in desperate need. Tom Huddlestone - The feel good story of the holidays. The Hull City midfielder refused to get a haircut until he broke his scoring drought. The curly, afro-like mess had entered Marouane Fellaini territory. Two and a half years and 54 games since Huddlestone last scored, on his 27th birthday, the goal finally came. A 67th minute belter against Fulham ended the streak, allowing Huddlestone to chop off the hair he grew to despise. The haircut started on the field with a razor to the mop as part of the celebration. The notoriety of the hair and ensuing goal ended up raising thousands of dollars for Cancer Research UK. Huddlestone has revitalized his career with a standout campaign thus far. And now has a sharp, new do for good measure. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - It was a bold move to take over a team owned by Vincent Tan. But the baby-faced tactician did just that and immediately impressed in his introductory press conference. He seems a man wise beyond his managerial years and was clearly ready for the move to the Premier League. His likeable demeanor and dedication to become a top manager suggest a long and prosperous career ahead. In like fashion to his playing days, Cardiff City played spoiler in his managerial debut, coming from behind with late dramatics to defeat Newcastle at St. Jamess Park in the FA Cup. Solskjaer provides the stability Cardiff needs. And Solskjaer will likewise take advantage of the opportunity in South Wales as a proving ground for future, more prestigious jobs. The decision to join Cardiff was a calculated one. In Solskjaer, we trust. Manchester City - No Sergio Aguero, no problem. City had to make the winners list as the only team with a perfect 12 points in four holiday matches. The only blemish, an FA Cup away draw at Blackburn. It wasnt whom they beat, but how they won over the holidays that was most impressive. Pulling away late with quality ball movement in a 4-2 win at Fulham, and coming from behind to beat Liverpool were matches destined for dropped points where three points were salvaged. Its a trademark of champions to win when not at your best. City is certainly looking very much the part. The next months schedule is tricky. But with the return of Aguero near and just one point back of league leaders Arsenal, City are the clear odds-on favourite for the title. Wojciech Szczesny - The Arsenal number one posted three clean sheets and conceded just one goal in four matches. Questions about goalkeeping stability have been the dominant narrative at the Emirates for years on end. Szczesnys standout season has silenced the calls for reinforcements. Ross Barkley - Barkley for England. A stunning match-winning free kick against Swansea to open the period was a testament to the 20-year olds special ability. Barkley has been a driving force all season, playing beyond his years. Everton picked up points in every game he started over the holidays, and the Englishman capped off the festivities with a goal and an assist in a 4-0 FA Cup thrashing of QPR. Gossip Pages - The January transfer window is open and the silly season is upon us. Proceed with caution with your transfer rumours du jour. Losers Manchester United - Three league wins to start the festive calendar and all seemed to be going in the right direction. 2014 however has started in disaster. A 2-1 home loss to Spurs ended any slim hope of title coontention and another embarrassment at Old Trafford to Swansea in the FA Cup showed how far the mighty have fallen. Sergio Aguero Manchester City Jersey. nbsp; United have lost the fear factor, most surprisingly at home, with four league losses and just 12 goals in 10 matches. The short-term transition is a monumental struggle for David Moyes. You can see its taking its toll. The team has holes. Most disconcerting is the negative narrative and unclear directive of the manager, not leaving much room for goodwill or patience. Whether it be pessimism towards transfer window activity or a lack of confidence, Moyes continues to trip over his own words, making matters worse. And his actions arent much better, raising valid questions whether he is suitable to lead the club. And club officials saying United can financially cope with not qualifying for the Champions League misses the plot. Excuse mongering and flaky reassurances merely pander to stock market confidence rather than passionate supporters whose expectation is to win. Its unfortunate a transition within the squad came at the same time as a transition in manager. Perhaps Sir Alex Ferguson saw this coming. Regardless, from player acquisition to player performance to the manager, it all has to be better. Juan Mata - The two-time Chelsea player of the year has endured a frustrating time under Mourinho. Just 11 starts thus far and no league goals, the Spaniard let his emotions publicly boil over, showing dissent towards his manager after being substituted off against Southampton. Chelsea publicly says Mata is not for sale. Unfortunately for the player, he is being kept and under-utilized until Mourinho can get players he prefers at the club in the summer. Mata is not a Mourinho player and he will remain on the outside looking in. The less he plays, the more Matas World Cup chances are damaged. Theo Walcott - Having just returned from a long-term injury mid-December, Walcott has gone down again. Unbeknownst to the extent of his injury, Walcott mocked Spurs supporters being stretchered off in Arsenals 2-0 FA Cup win. 2-0 Walcott showed all to see with his fingers as he was carried off. More importantly, the true score as knee injury -1, Walcott – 0. All kidding aside, Walcott ruptured the ACL in his left knee and will miss the rest of the season and the World Cup. Its a more significant loss for Arsenal than England. The Gunners actually have a chance at silverware. Walcotts a versatile player for Arsene Wenger, scoring five goals and four assists in limited action this campaign. Fortunate for Wenger, he has quality options in the attacking midfield positions and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is back training. Surely, Arsenal will need to add another attacking player with the ability to play with his back to goal before the end of the month. Sam Allardyce - The West Ham manager received the dreaded vote of confidence from club officials after an embarrassing 5-0 FA Cup loss to Nottingham Forest. In fairness, seven senior players were injured, Kevin Nolan suspended, and a Capital One Cup semi-final tilt lay ahead Wednesday against Manchester City. Allardyce played an inexperienced, ill-equipped team and they were punished. Regardless, the result, the festive period was awful for Allardyce with his team picking up a mere point in four matches, and his team now sitting 19th, very much in a relegation battle. With a lack of goal scoring and a leaky backline, the Hammers are in trouble and Allardyce is a top candidate to be the seventh managerial casualty of the season. Norwich City - The Canaries were almost as poor as West Ham, picking up just two points in four matches. Three games were against fellow relegation fodder Sunderland, Fulham and Crystal Palace. Those were must-win games for a team with mid-table aspirations. Scoring two goals in those games is appalling. Norwich has been a massive disappointment on the season after spending considerably in the summer. Divers - Whether it be Adnan Januzaj or Oscar, many of the best, young players in the league are deservedly earning the label of diver. Attempts to con match officials continues to take priority over self-respect. And managers are failing to get through to their players. This has to change. Managers continue to wax poetic about how they deal with these issues internally. But very little is done and nothing changes as the problem spreads. Mourinho is the biggest hypocrite, saying divers are a disgrace yet failing to acknowledge when his players do so. With faulty leadership as such, nothing will change. And the game is worse off because of it. Fulham Defending - Conceding 12 in four matches, including six at Hull, thanks for coming out. Mark Clattenburg - The match official has been drawn into more character damaging accusations, this time for inappropriate comments made towards Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana. The FA has cleared Clattenburg, but Southampton is calling for the official to not be appointed for their matches until the investigation is complete. Chelsea accused Clattenburg of making racist remarks last season. Although cleared that time as well, Clattenburg continues to be drawn into the news for all the wrong reasons. Missed calls and controversial decisions have also hurt the reputation of a true, up-and-coming referee. @WheelerTSNgareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca ' ' '