BOSTON -- The Red Sox demoted struggling switch-hitting outfielder Daniel Nava and recalled right-hander Alex Wilson on Wednesday. Nava, 31, was a big part of Bostons run to the 2013 World Series title, but was hitting just .149 with two homers and three RBI when he was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket before the game against the New York Yankees. Wilson went 1-1 with a 4.88 ERA in 26 games with the Red Sox last year. Boston starters were hit hard recently and manager John Farrell went to his bullpen 10 times in the past three games, forcing him to add a reliever. "Given the number of innings by our bullpen the past four, five days, we needed to add another arm, some help out there," he said before Wednesdays game. "Also, we felt like we need to find a way to get Daniel Nava going again. His struggles at the plate, I think, are evident. Were trying to get him back to seeing him be the player he has in the past." Batting mostly from the left side of the plate in a platoon with Jonny Gomes in left field, Nava hit a career-best .303 for Boston last year with 12 homers and 66 RBIs. "Weve got to get a guy back that was pivotal to our success last year, particularly from the left side of the plate," Farrell said. "Its going to take some at-bats to do just that." Nava had been in the majors for a good portion of the past two seasons, so Farrell knew the news would be tough for the player. "As you might expect, he was disappointed," Farrell said. "I cant say there was disbelief. It was a disappointing message to deliver, given his role last year and the contributions. But in combination for the need for another reliever, while not liking it or deep-down agreeing with it, he knew it was a necessity." . -- Arizona coach Sean Miller rose from his seat every time Roberto Nelson touched the ball and yelled "Shooter!" He could have been talking about his own team, too. .C. -- The shot that would have beaten No.
http://www.cheapaustraliaairmax.com/. -- Adrian Peterson remained in a walking boot to treat a high ankle sprain on his left leg on Wednesday, and coach Leslie Frazier said he will not play on Sunday against Atlanta if he cant hit the practice field in the next two days. . The thinking at the time was Clowney could have already been promised he would be selected first overall by the Houston Texans, therefore negating any need to meet with any other teams. The plot took another twist this week. . Heck, we might just miss the BCS. Maybe? It sort of worked out this season. Top-ranked Florida State (13-0) was the only team to get through the regular season unbeaten, and the Seminoles did it in dominating fashion.By now, we shouldnt be surprised at anything that happens at Toronto FC - and yet events on Sunday at the long-troubled MLS club added another incredible chapter in its short history. Just eight months ago, MLSE President Tim Leiweke was announcing the teams ambition to be a "super club" following the arrival of big name players, and Ryan Nelsen was heading into his second season as head coach with the team, with a vastly improved squad and aiming to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. On Sunday, just days after Leiwekes impending departure from MLSE was confirmed, Nelsen was fired following an embarrassing 3-0 loss at home to New England Revolution after which he criticized General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko during his post-match press conference. Bezbatchenko had made it clear to media ahead of the game that he wasnt happy with the teams current form. "I think everyone would agree that over the last 12 or so games, it hasnt been good enough," he said. Nelsen hit back voicing his concern that the GMs comments should have been kept in-house and that they added unnecessary extra pressure onto his players. It was clear evidence that Bezbatchenko and Nelsen were not on the same page, something that has been brewing for a while and is an unworkable situation for any sports organization. "We are in a results-oriented business," Bezbatchenko said on Sunday. "I know we can get more out of this group of guys." Of course changing the coach position at Toronto FC is nothing new. Through eight seasons, Nelsen is the ninth coach to leave he club, but there are a couple of significant differences this time. First is that the new coach takes over a team in the playoff positions rather than languishing in the basement of the Eastern Conference. Second is that the house has been cleaned with Nelsens other staff leaving with him. Greg Vanney will have a clean slate to work with - Jason Bent is the only current assistant coach to be offered a role in the new setup. Back in January of 2013, Nelsens hiring as head coach of Toronto FC was described by my colleague Jason deVos as "the most bizarre hiring," he had ever seen in football. Nelsen was arriving without any coaching experience or qualifications and while still a player with QPR in the Premier League. It was a very strange appointment for a club that at the time needed stability and veteran leadership. He had an extremely difficult task durinng his rookie season working with a squad that wasnt anywhere good enough to compete in Major League Soccer, but this year having been given the pieces to work with, he didnt get enough out of the team.dddddddddddd The early months of the season were about building and gelling as a team. There were lots of new pieces learning to play together and key injuries to contend with as well, but watching the them play, you didnt really get the feeling they had an identity. There was no clear vision of what they wanted to be as a team, or how they were going to get there. Even this month, they were still experimenting and looking for a winning formula. Nelsen was learning on the job, and I have always believed he would have been in a much stronger position if he had hired more experienced veteran coaches to complement some of the younger assistant coaches within the organization. The club has now appointed Greg Vanney who is another young coach, but has plenty of experience as a player in MLS and also knows the inner workings of TFC having been Assistant GM and Academy Director. He will have the opportunity to build a coaching staff around him, but has been thrown in at the deep end. Despite the change in coach, making the playoffs should be the only acceptable outcome for this team. Failure isnt an option if they want to remain relevant in the city. Its not often a club manages to overshadow the firing and hiring of a head coach, but thats what happened on Sunday. The departure of Nelsen was almost secondary to the speculation about the future of Jermain Defoe. Defoe has been excellent for Toronto FC this season, despite missing games through injury. On the field, they could cope with his departure, off the pitch if Defoe leaves it could potentially have massive consequences, especially given the much heralded arrival of the England striker in January and the marketing campaign that surrounded his signing. Bezbatchenko has made it clear that there is no done deal yet - but there is interest in Defoe from QPR and the way things stand, it would be no surprise if he departs MLS before the transfer window closes. Eight years in, the merry-go-round continues at a club that has been one of the most dysfunctional in MLS history. Each time there is change, there is always the hope that the right people will be in place to bring success. Once again, Toronto FC fans are left waiting to see if this will be the time they finally get things right. ' ' '
