PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks took on the big boys of Major League Baseball in the competition to land Japanese pitching sensation Masahiro Tanaka only to see him sign, hardly to anyones surprise, with the New York Yankees. Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers, speaking to a handful of reporters in a conference call on Wednesday, thanked the teams ownership for allowing him, for what he said was the first time, to "sit at the table in a high stakes poker game for one of the elite free agents." Towers said the Diamondbacks made "a very competitive offer." But not competitive enough. The 25-year-old right-handers deal with the Yankees pays him $155 million over seven years, in addition to the $20 million due as a posting fee to his Japanese club. Now Towers moves on in search, via free agency or a trade, of help for the Diamondbacks rotation, seeking either a No. 1 starter or a strong No. 2. And, he said, those are hard to find. The Diamondbacks contingent of managing partner Ken Kendrick, Towers, manager Kirk Gibson and star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt met with Tanaka and his entourage about three weeks ago. "All you can do is put your best foot forward, which is what we did," Towers said. The Diamondbacks emphasized their family atmosphere, the weather, the fact that the team trains in Arizona. Tanaka would have been the unquestioned No. 1 pitcher on the staff. That and what undoubtedly was a substantial money offer, certainly by Diamondbacks standards, wasnt enough. There is no large Japanese community in Phoenix. Towers said international players often are lured by the "Yankee pinstripes." He noted the Yankees have two veteran Japanese pitchers who can ease Tanaka into his new life. The Diamondbacks will continue to see what the possibilities are for landing a pitcher. "It doesnt stop just because we didnt get Tanaka," Towers said. But the Diamondbacks dont want to sign any pitcher to a contract longer than three years, Tanaka being an obvious exception. Unsigned free agent starters include Ervin Santana, Matt Garza and Ubaldo Jimenez. Towers insisted that if Arizona does not acquire another starter, hes comfortable with the returning staff, specifically mentioning the possibility of talented young flame-thrower Archie Bradley competing for a spot in the rotation this spring. Because of their early-season trip to Australia to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Diamondbacks will be the first team to gather for spring training. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 6 with the full squad due on Feb. 11. http://www.socceritalyfansshop.com/Antonio-Candreva-UEFA-EURO-Italy-Jersey/ . Leaning forward with both hands on his knees, Buffon appeared to be resting or somehow trying to withstand the rain. Or perhaps the 36-year-old goalkeeper and Italy captain was reflecting on this: He is only the third player in history to be part of five World Cup squads, along with Germany great Lothar Matthaus and former Mexico goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal. Mattia Perin Italy Jersey . The biggest shock of this seasons competition was on when Watford took a 2-0 lead after 30 minutes at Etihad Stadium, only for a remarkable Aguero-led comeback by City in the final half-hour. The Argentina striker produced clinical finishes in the 60th and 79th minutes to level the score before Aleksandar Kolarov put City in front in the 87th. http://www.socceritalyfansshop.com/Giacomo-Bonaventura-UEFA-EURO-Italy-Jersey/ . Not sure yet. #livetweetingthegreatuntangle — Strombone (@strombone1) April 17, 2014 Stage three, coping: I feel like I could use a cigarette or something. http://www.socceritalyfansshop.com/Roberto-Soriano-UEFA-EURO-Italy-Jersey/ . -- LeBron James warned the Orlando Magic to stop double-teaming him and ignoring James Jones. Salvatore Sirigu Jersey .J. -- Kyle Palmieri thrilled his personal rooting section with an overtime winner that sent the Anaheim Ducks to their seventh straight win.VANCOUVER - Canadas womens soccer team is refusing to get involved in the turf war surrounding the 2015 Womens World Cup.Earlier this month, a coalition of international star players, including Abby Wambach of the U.S. and Marta of Brazil, filed legal action with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal seeking to have games played on grass rather than artificial turf.The women are alleging discrimination, arguing that the men would never play their World Cup on an artificial surface.Honestly, it personally doesnt affect me, and I dont think it affects anyone on the team, veteran Canadian striker Melissa Tancredi said Monday. I know that we have something special here, and all that external stuff is happening, and thats fine.It has nothing to do with us. We just know that were here to perform. Whatever surface you give us, were going to perform.Tancredi made the comments as the Canadian womens side prepared to meet Japan in an international friendly Tuesday on artificial turf at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver. The game serves as part of preparations for the 2015 Wommens World Cup that Canada will host next summer.dddddddddddd.I think its personal preference and people being angry and having different agendas — and that has nothing to do with what we stand for, said Tancredi. I dont want to get involved. I dont think any of us want to get involved.The Canadian Soccer Association and FIFA, the sports world governing body, have refused to budge on the issue.Everyone would love to play on grass, but its not our focus, said Canadian captain Christine Sinclair. Well let other people worry about the surface, and well prepare for the tournament. As a Canadian, its an honour to have the World Cup in Canada and we want to do well in it.Lawyers for the women say their plan for temporary grass surfaces at stadiums in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton would cost $2 million to $3 million at most.Sinclair said she is not in a position to judge.I have no idea, she said. All we know is that the World Cup was given to Canada on the basis of it being (played) on turf — and were preparing for such. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '