Marktplatz » . In the late match, Shinji Okazaki scored two goals t

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Pirates wanted to keep Francisco Liriano at the top end of their rotation so badly they offered the left-handed pitcher the most lucrative free agent contract in team history.General manager Neal Huntington thinks the fact Liriano agreed to a $39 million, three-year deal so quickly serves as proof that the Pirates have established themselves as a legitimate threat in the NL Central.It speaks to the culture weve created, Huntington said. It speaks to the man in Francisco. He enjoyed being a Pirate. Hes comfortable. He wants to compete and win. I think it speaks volumes about (manager) Clint Hurdle, (pitching coach) Ray Searage, our strength and medical staff and his teammates, the guys weve put around him.The finalized the agreement Friday, three days after reaching the deal at the winter meetings. Liriano went 23-18 with a 3.20 ERA for Pittsburgh in 2013 and 2014, helping the franchise reach consecutive playoff berths for the first time in over 20 years.Liriano declined a $15.3 million qualifying offer last month, and the Pirates would have received a compensatory draft pick if Liriano had signed elsewhere. While Huntington allowed it was a good idea to protect the team, he doesnt think the pick scared off would-be suitors.We did not get any indication that the qualifying offer was impacting his market or impacting his interest, Huntington said. We valued it in the process but we valued Francisco more.Liriano will work at the top end of a rotation that includes Gerrit Cole and A.J. Burnett, who re-signed with Pittsburgh last month after spending 2014 in Philadelphia. Charlie Morton, Jeff Locke, Brandon Cumpton and Vance Worley will also be in the mix at some point for a starting spot. The Pirates do not appear to be serious suitors for Edinson Volquez, who went 13-7 with a 3.04 ERA in Pittsburgh last year.Its one of those things well never stop looking, but if the season were to start today, we have more than five guys we feel comfortable starting games, Huntington said.Particularly if Liriano continues his career revival. Signed as a flier two years ago, Liriano has found a home in Pittsburgh. He was vital to the teams run to a wild card berth in 2014, shaking off a strained oblique to go 4-0 with a 1.16 ERA in September.He was lights out, Huntington said.Pittsburgh also agreed to a one-year contract with 31-year-old right-hander Radhames Liz, who was 3-2 with a 2.95 ERA in 12 starts for Torontos Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo this year and is 4-0 with a 1.90 ERA in five starts with Estrellas de Oriente in the Dominican Winter League. To clear a roster spot, right-hander Josh Lindblom was designated for assignment. Clay Matthews Womens Jersey . The punch happened in the fourth quarter of Milwaukees 116-102 loss to the Kings on Wednesday when the two players became entangled while battling for rebounding position. Aaron Donald Rams Jersey . But unfortunately for the Niagara Falls, Ont., native, a pulled muscle wouldnt allow him to go past the second set. Japan sealed its victory over Canada in the first-round Davis Cup tie after Nishikori downed an ailing Dancevic 6-2, 1-0. http://www.footballramsshop.us/authentic-nolan-cromwell-rams-jersey/ . The star receiver certainly isnt celebrating it with the Texans mired in a franchise-record 13-game skid. Deacon Jones Womens Jersey . Miikka Kiprusoff had just announced his retirement after a decade-long run in Calgary and it would be up to Berra and Ramo to fill the void. Clay Matthews Rams Jersey . In the late match, Shinji Okazaki scored two goals to pace Mainz to a 3-2 victory at Werder Bremen. Goals from Milan Badelj, Maximilian Beister and Hakan Calhanoglu ended Hamburgs two-match losing run and kept Hannover winless in seven games.The Edmonton Oilers announced on Wednesday that defenceman Anton Belov has signed a four-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. Belov was a free agent last summer when he signed a one-year contract with the Oilers. In 57 games this season he had one goal and six assists with 34 penalty minutes in Edmoonton.dddddddddddd The 27-year-old from Ryazan, Russia played nine seasons in the KHL and Russian leagues for Avangard Omsk and CSKA Moscow prior to playing in North America for the first time. Belov also played for the Russian team at the Sochi Olympics, where he contributed one goal in five games. ' ' '