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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Big league general managers walked under seven palm trees and across the sun-splashed red stone courtyard of the Sonoran Desert resort where they had spent four days. Pulling their wheelie bags as guitar music played on speakers, they passed a sign that explained Montelucia, part of the hotels name, was Spanish for mountain of light.While no trades were completed at the first meeting of the offseason, many found the session illuminating: a constellation of stars are in play.Detroit will listen to offers for pitcher Justin Verlander, first baseman Miguel Cabrera, second baseman Ian Kinsler, right fielder J.D. Martinez and designated hitter Victor Martinez.The Chicago White Sox would deal ace pitcher Chris Sale for the right price.Pittsburgh outfielder Andrew McCutchen and New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann are available.All All-Stars.I know that magnitude. Of course I do. Thats why we chose to be transparent, said Al Avila, GM of the payroll-paring Tigers. We chose to tell the players the possibility of things happening.When to make a swap is one of the key factors.In other deals that weve done, weve ended up getting as much if not more around the trade deadline than we would have in the prior offseason, because at the trade deadline theres fewer players available, Pirates GM Neal Huntington said as he left Thursday. Theres more angst about competing.Many of the sports biggest agents also attended the session, eager to provide clubs with the latest statistics designed to present their clients in the best light. Scott Boras came up with a new acronym to describe former All-Star closer Greg Holland, rehabbing from Tommy John surgery in October 2015.Everybody wants the help pitcher, the High Level Performance Pitcher, he said. Weve got our HLPP algorithm, and these guys create value.For some teams, leaving the comfort of their offices is a chore.Its a necessary evil, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. You fly out here, meet with everybody as much as you possibly can, go through your administrative meetings with MLB and fly home.There was a little news on the final day. R.A. Dickey, a 42-year-old knuckleballer, became the first of the 158 free agents to change teams, agreeing to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves that guarantees $8 million. St. Louis outfielder Matt Holliday became the final free agent when he and the Cardinals agreed to waive the provision in his contract that called for his $17 million option for 2017 to become guaranteed if he finished in the top 10 in MVP voting.Higher-profile players in a relatively weak free-agent class are likely to take their time before striking deals, a group that includes closers Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon; outfielders Jose Bautista, Yoenis Cespedes, Dexter Fowler and Mark Trumbo; and designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion.Hoping to retain Cespedes, Mets GM Sandy Alderson would like a resolution by the end of the winter meetings, scheduled for Dec. 5-8 in National Harbor, Maryland.White Sox GM Rick Hahn said he revisited trade discussions that began ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline for non-waiver deals and it was now time for regrouping, prioritizing things and then following up in the coming weeks leading up to the winter meetings.Theres been a lot of speculation about us, so a lot of the clubs are checking in and checking the veracity of those claims, he said.McCutchen, a five-time All-Star, is coming off a subpar season and is owed $14 million next year as part of a deal that includes a $14.75 million club option for 2018 with a $1 million buyout. Teams sense opportunity.They recognize that we havent been adverse to moving guys as their contract nears expiration. Its a part of how we believe we need to do things to continue to be competitive and continue to give ourselves a shot to win, Huntington said. If they see his name out there, they do what we do. If a really good players name gets popped out there, we make a call just to make sure we do our due diligence and to see if there might be a fit.After helping the Cubs win their first World Series title since 1908, Chicago president of baseball operations Theo Epstein anticipates an easier time recruiting players.We might not need to send out a video now, he said. People are probably sick of seeing us on TV. Cheap Detroit Pistons Jerseys . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. Cheap NBA Jerseys . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. http://www.cheappistonsjerseys.com/ . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Cheap Pistons Jerseys China . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. Wholesale Pistons Jerseys . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. ANAHEIM, Calif. -- One pitcher surmounted tremendous odds to reach the major leagues this year at age 28. The other confronts them in trying to continue a once-stellar career.Both will face each other Tuesday night when the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Angels meet at Angel Stadium.The Reds Tim Adleman will make his seventh start of the season nearly four months after his major league debut. The right-hander owns a 2-1 record and a 3.68 ERA but has allowed six home runs in 29 2/3 innings.The Angels Jered Weaver, on the other hand, continues his three-year campaign against numerous injuries and diminishing velocity. The three-time All-Star, who tied for the most victories in the American League with 18 two years ago, now throws a fastball that averages between 83 and 84 mph.Adleman began his career with the Baltimore Orioles, who selected him in the 24th round of the June 2010 draft. After being released in 2012, Adleman pitched for three independent minor-league teams in two seasons as a reliever. He caught the Reds attention after compiling 10 saves and a 1.46 ERA in 40 appearances for the New Jersey Jackals of the Canadian-American Association in 2013.Cincinnati signed Adleman that October, invited him to spring training this year as a non-roster player and sent him to Triple-A Louisville to start the season.But nearly four weeks later, the Reds promoted Adleman when right-hander Raisel Iglesias went on the disabled list. He made his debut May 1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Then while pitching May 19 against the Cleveland Indians, Adleman strained his left oblique muscle and joined Iglesias among the disabled. On Aug. 2, the Reds activated Adleman and sent him to Louissville but recalled him Aug.dddddddddddd 16.For Adleman, beating the odds meant relying on dogged persistence.Its a matter of still loving to play the game despite some organizations telling me Im not good enough, and having the confidence in myself that I am good enough, he told the Cincinnati Enquirer in March. I just need someone to give me the opportunity. That factored with a lot of people who said, If you feel you can still play, give it your best shot for as long as you can because once you shut it down, you can never get it back.Weaver demonstrates similar tenacity despite his second successive poor season. Last year, the right-hander finished with a career-low seven wins and a career-worst 4.64 ERA while matching his career high with 12 losses. This year, he already has 11 defeats and a 5.31 ERA.With his five-year contract expiring after the season, the 33-year old expressed his frustration after the Indians rallied from a 4-1 deficit for a 5-4 win on Aug. 14, the Angels 10th successive defeat in an 11-game losing streak.This could be my last year and its definitely not the way I want to go out, Weaver told MLB.com. Its frustrating to sit back and watch.Yet Weaver ruled out retirement after beating the Toronto Blue Jays in his last start Thursday night to end his four-game losing streak.Im feeling better as we go on, he told the Los Angeles Times. I just think its going to take an offseason to figure this out and finally gain some strength back. Theres still a lot of work to be done. B