Gallerie » hopes to continue conveying Mandelas impactful lesson

There was a flurry of news around Major League Baseball on Friday as teams worked to retool before the holiday break. Here are some things to know about all the player moves and other changes:___SAN DIEGO PADRESNew general manager A.J. Preller and the Padres were in the middle of all the action. They took a break Friday from a dizzying series of blockbuster trades to introduce one of their new sluggers, Matt Kemp.This is unbelievable. Hes a GM rock star right now, moving in and out and doing so many things, Kemp said at a Petco Park news conference. Every day theres something different.In just more than a week, Preller has worked a five-player deal with the division rival Los Angeles Dodgers to get Kemp; an 11-player deal with Tampa Bay and Washington to get outfielder Wil Myers, the 2013 AL Rookie of the Year with the Rays; a six-player deal with Atlanta for slugger Justin Upton; a four-player trade with Oakland that landed All-Star catcher Derek Norris; and a straight-up trade with Boston to get third baseman Will Middlebrooks for catcher Ryan Hanigan, who came over from Tampa Bay.Its a stunning haul for a team that was starved for offence last season and has had only two winning campaigns since its last playoff appearance, in 2006.Preller said the Padres are taking a win now and win later attitude.DODGER DEALSLos Angeles finalized its trade for All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins, sending right-hander Zach Eflin and left-hander Tim Windle to the Phillies for Rollins and $1 million to cover part of his $11 million salary in 2015.The Dodgers had to wait to unveil their acquisition until Kemps trade to the Padres was finished Thursday.After a 14-year tenure in Philadelphia, the 36-year-old Rollins agreed to waive his no-trade clause. He said the Dodgers were his top trade destination.I dont feel I have to re-prove myself at all, Rollins said. Its sort of a fresh start. Its hard to (get) a fresh start going into your 15th season.Los Angeles also introduced new second baseman Howie Kendrick, putting a blue cap on the longtime Angels infielder. Kendrick is just one element of a thorough makeover for the NL West champions under new top executive Andrew Friedman.Since Friedman took over from Ned Colletti, Los Angeles has parted ways with Kemp, Dee Gordon, Hanley Ramirez, Dan Haren and Brian Wilson. The Dodgers have acquired Kendrick, Rollins, catcher Yasmani Grandal and Brandon McCarthy in their place, stabilizing their defence and addressing several possible problem areas from the plate to the clubhouse.YANKEES-MARLINS TRADEThe New York Yankees made a five-player swap that helped their rotation get younger and healthier, acquiring right-hander Nathan Eovaldi from the Marlins for versatile Martin Prado and righty David Phelps.The Yankees also received first baseman-outfielder Garrett Jones and minor league pitcher Domingo German from Miami.Eovaldi, who turns 25 in February, throws up to 98 mph and was 6-14 with a 4.37 ERA in 199 2-3 innings last season. He helps shore up a rotation that includes Masahiro Tanaka (torn elbow ligament), CC Sabathia (knee surgery) and Michael Pineda (shoulder muscle), all pitchers who lost time to injuries last season.Prado, 31, was obtained by the Yankees from Arizona at the July 31 trade deadline and hit .316 with seven homers and 16 RBIs in 133 at-bats for New York. An All-Star in 2010, he plays second, third and the outfield.The Yankees also acquired right-handed reliever Gonzalez Germen from the Mets for cash.JAKE PEAVYAfter reviving his career in San Francisco, the 33-year-old righty is returning to the World Series champions.Peavy agreed to a $24 million, two-year contract with the Giants, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.San Francisco also found a replacement for departed third baseman Pablo Sandoval, obtaining Casey McGehee from Miami for minor league right-handers Kendry Flores and Luis Castillo.McGehee became expendable once the Marlins acquired Prado from the Yankees.A three-time All-Star and the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner, Peavy was 1-9 with Boston before being traded to San Francisco in late July. He went 6-4 with a 2.17 ERA in 12 starts for the Giants.Always animated and intense on the mound, Peavy went 0-2 in the World Series. He had a chance to clinch the crown in Game 6, but lasted just 1 1-3 innings against Kansas City.SIGNEDAlex Rios signed an $11 million, one-year deal with the Royals that includes a mutual option for the 2016 season. Rios will take over in right field for Nori Aoki, who departed in free agency. ... First baseman Corey Hart and the Pirates agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract. The deal, which includes $2.5 million in performance bonuses, gives Pittsburgh a right-handed option at first base to join left-handed slugger Pedro Alvarez, who is moving from third to first. ... Reliever Jason Motte and the Chicago Cubs finalized a $4.5 million, one-year contract that allows the former St. Louis closer to earn $2.5 million more in performance bonuses. ... David Ross and the Chicago Cubs agreed on a two-year contract worth $5 million, reuniting the catcher with frequent batterymate Jon Lester. ... Left-handed reliever Wesley Wright and the Baltimore Orioles completed a $1.7 million, one-year contract.ROYALS-ANGELS SWAPAfter trading away Kendrick, the Los Angeles Angels acquired second baseman Johnny Giavotella from Kansas City for minor league pitcher Brian Broderick.BUD SELIGAt 80, Selig is set to take a new title — baseball commissioner emeritus.Selig has led MLB for 22 1/2 years. His time as commissioner ends when Rob Manfred takes over Jan. 25.This role will allow the game to benefit from his unmatched institutional knowledge, experience and relationships, Manfred said in a statement. I could not ask for a finer mentor.LUXURY TAXThe Dodgers have taken over as MLBs biggest spenders, a distinction held by the Yankees for the previous 15 years. That spot at the top comes with a price: Los Angeles owes more than $26.6 million in luxury tax.The Dodgers finished with a record payroll of $257,283,410, according to final calculations made by MLB and obtained by the AP. Thats more than $20 million over the previous high set by the Yankees last year.The luxury tax was put in place as a slowdown on spending by high-revenue teams. Three of the five biggest spenders missed the playoffs last season — the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies. Ozzie Newsome Jersey . But the young forward is more than willing to shed a little blood if thats what it takes to make the team this season. "It caught me pretty good, dazed me for that shift, but I didnt want to be off the ice for too long," he said after practice, his lip still bleeding a little despite the plastic stitches holding it together. Bernie Kosar Jersey . On Wednesday, Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas hit back. In a passionate defence of himself and the London clubs medical staff, the Portuguese coach rebuked the "incompetent people" who have attacked Tottenham for allowing Lloris to continue playing after being briefly knocked unconscious against Everton on Sunday. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Jim-Brown-Jersey/ . Hes even holding a bat on one of his 2014 baseball cards. So far, hes playing like his picture. Jim Brown Womens Jersey . -- Darrelle Revis says at least 26 teams called after he was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Joe Thomas Youth Jersey . - Andre Drummond had his best night on the boards.Toronto Raptors president and general manager Masai Ujiri will honour his hero Nelson Mandela alongside some of the worlds biggest sports icons on Friday. On the first anniversary of Mandelas passing, The Giant of Africa presented by Bell will be an evening-long celebration of the late former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner while supporting the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Ujiris non-for-profit organization, Giants of Africa. The tribute will begin with a panel discussion inside the Raptors practice court before the team tips off against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In front of an intimate audience, NBA legends Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson and Dikembe Mutombo, along with UN Goodwill Ambassador and 1999 Miss Universe winner Mpule Kwelagobe will discuss Mandelas determination to inspire positive change and teach the world to rise above adversity regardless of situation. Watch the panel discussion, moderated by TSNs James Duthie and co-founder of Face 2 Face Africa, Sandra Appiah, live on TSN.ca at 6pm et/3pm pt. Other notable guests of the event are Raptors alumnus Tracy McGrady, Toronto Maple Leaf Jonathan Bernier, Toronto Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan, Artistic Director of TIFF, Cameron Bailey, Toronto Argo alumnus Michael Pinball Clemons, Deputy Commissioner of the NBA, Mark Tatum and Vice President of NBA Africa, Amadou Fall. The Giant of Africa presented by Bell will raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Foundation as well as Ujiris Giants of Africa with the purpose of continuiing to create opportunities for African youth.dddddddddddd The tribute to Mandelas life will then continue in-game when the Raptors take on the Cavaliers (live on TSN1, TSN4 and TSN5 at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt). To honour him, the full Raptors team will wear special, limited edition adidas shooting shirts and team management will don commemorative Giant of Africa lapel pins. In hopes to continue conveying Mandelas impactful lessons amongst fans, the game will also feature special videos and content from the events panelists, special guests, Raptors and Cavaliers players and many more. We are fortunate to honour Mandela this Friday, said Ujiri. So much of what the world needs and deserves is what this great man was about. He knew that sport had the power to change the world and what a better place to celebrate this man then at this game in Air Canada Centre. TSN will sit down with Barkley, Johnson, Mutombo, Ujiri, Awelagobe, Fall and Tatum for one-on-one interviews following the evenings event and will be available for viewing on TSN.ca. To commemorate this special celebration, the Toronto Raptors Store powered by Real Sports Apparel will sell limited edition The Giant of Africa t-shirts featuring Mandelas five pillars; being a leader, fighting for freedom, creating a better future, committing to the community and using sport to inspire change. Fans can purchase these shirts at Friday nights game with proceeds supporting Giants of Africa. For more event details visit: http://www.nba.com/raptors/giantofafrica ' ' '