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MINNEAPOLIS -- Phil Hughes has long been on Minnesotas radar. Thanks to a rough season by the right-hander in New York, the Twins finally added him to their roster. "He probably wouldnt be sitting here if he had an average year. So maybe this is a good omen for us," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said, adding: "Weve got hopes that with a change of scenery that were going to get him going in the right direction." Hughes went 4-14 with a 5.19 ERA for the Yankees last season, and the Twins finalized a $24 million, three-year contract with him after he passed his physical Thursday. This was their second significant step toward restoring a ragged rotation, after signing right-hander Ricky Nolasco Tuesday to a $49 million, four-year deal. Twins starters had the worst collective ERA in the majors last season. "I think its going to be great. Like Terry said, I struggled last year," Hughes said at an introductory news conference at Target Field. "Coming to a new team, a new place and a ballpark thats obviously a little bit more conducive to pitching is going to help a lot." Minnesota picked Trevor Plouffe at No. 20 and Glen Perkins at No. 22 in the 2004 draft, and Hughes went from Santa Ana, Calif., to the Yankees at No. 23. After breezing through their minor league system, he made his debut in 2007. When the Twins were shopping Johan Santana in trades before the 2008 season, Hughes was high on their wish list. But the Twins consummated a deal with the Mets, not the Yankees. Hughes had a stellar season as a setup man for the World Series champions in 2009, won 18 games in 2010 and 16 games in a career-high 191-plus innings in 2012. "Im a firm believer that everything happens for a reason," Hughes said. "It wasnt right in 2004 and it wasnt right in 2008, but I think its going to be right in 2014." The Twins are banking on a move out of hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium to spacious Target Field will help Hughes rediscover the success he had earlier in his career. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Hughes was an All-Star in 2010. "Hes got the velocity. Hes got a curveball. Hes got a slider. Hes got a change. Hes big. Hes strong," Ryan said, adding: "Hes only 27. Pitching in New York and in Yankee Stadium is nothing like it would be here at Target Field. ... We need pitching. Were willing to take a risk." He will make $8 million in each of the next three seasons. The contract includes $1 million in annual performance bonuses: $250,000 each for reaching 180 and 195 innings and $500,000 for reaching 210 innings. Hughes still had 121 strikeouts in 145 2-3 innings last season, despite his struggles. He couldve taken a one-year offer, got back on track and cashed in with a bigger contract next winter. But he liked the commitment showed by the Twins, who wanted some stability. Ryan said Hughes was the youngest free agent pitcher on the market this year. "I dont want to get too far ahead of myself, but obviously when you sign two guys for the dollars that we have here, you have high hopes that were improving this rotation," Ryan said. Behind Nolasco and Hughes is returning veteran Kevin Correia. The other spots are open, with Samuel Deduno, Scott Diamond, Kyle Gibson and Vance Worley among the leading candidates at this point. Ryan said the team is still considering other available free agents. To make room on the 40-man roster for Hughes, the Twins designed right-hander Liam Hendriks for assignment. Being a part of a rebuilding project was another attraction for Hughes, as was escaping the pressurized environment in New York. "That the Twins wanted me for the long term, or somewhat long term, was enticing for sure and something I felt a lot of value with, going to a team that really wants you around," Hughes said. Reggie White Jersey ." One game is checked off, 15 remain and the next one to get crossed out could come Tuesday night when the defending champion Heat host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. Paul Hornung Jersey . - Kentucky freshmen Stanley Boom Williams, Dorian Baker, Drew Barker and Tymere Dubose have been charged with disorderly conduct for their involvement with air pistol shots being fired near a residence hall on the South campus Sunday night. http://www.shoptheofficialpackers.com/Elite-Brett-Favre-Packers-Jersey/ . Messier, who had been a special assistant to Rangers general manager Glen Sather, announced Thursday in a statement that he is resigning in order to "expand the game of hockey in the New York area by developing the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. Bart Starr Jersey . But Paul Osbaldiston, Hamiltons assistant special teams and kicking coach, said the team still relished the championship game workout. Custom Green Bay Packers Jerseys .com) - The Vancouver Canucks hope an upcoming stretch of home games will be enough to get the club into the postseason.BERLIN - Thomas Mueller scored a hat trick as Bayern Munich won 4-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt to increase its overnight lead in the Bundesliga to seven points on Saturday.Franck Ribery set up Muellers first two, crossing for the World Cup winner to open the scoring in the 22nd minute and then again to finish a counterattack in the 64th. Mueller completed his hat trick three minutes later and Xherdan Shaqiri completed the scoring in the 86th.Were not playing badly at the moment. Were playing to a particular concept, no matter whos playing. We have talent coming off the bench, Mueller said. We also have excellent individual players who can make the difference.Bayern is unbeaten, with eight wins from 11 games, 27 goals scored and just three conceded.We now have a few days time to analyze calmly and see what we can improve, said Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, referring to the upcoming international break.The defending champions closest rivals, Wolfsburg and Borussia Moenchengladbach, were both playing their 11th-round games on Sunday.Elsewhere Saturday, Schalke disappointed in a 2-0 defeat at Freiburg, Bayer Leverkusen was held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by visiting Mainz, Augsburg beat promoted Paderborn 3-0 and Cologne won 4-3 at Hoffenheim.Werder Bremen defeated fellow struggler Stuttgart 2-0 in the late game. Sebastian Proedls 30th-minute header was followed by a wonderful strike in off the post by Fin Bartels in the 58th.Bremen kept a clean sheet for the first time in the league this season and moved out of the bottom place now occupied by Borussia Dortmund ahead of its game Sunday against Moenchengladbach.Frankfurt made an encouraging start against the league leader but Bayerns sheer quality ensured what transpired to be a comfortable victory.The whole world is finding it tough to get something from Bayern, Frankfurt midfielder Marco Russ said.Ribery played a one-two with Robert Lewandowski before cutting the ball back for Mueller, who scored at the second attempt, with his right knee, after his initial effort was blocked on the line by Bastian Oczipka.Mueller thought hed scored again shortly afterward, only for the effort to be pulled back for offside.Frankfurt finished the first half strongly and Alexander Meier forced a good save from Manuel Neuer in the 41st.The home side also staarted the second half courageously, but any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Mueller claimed his second.dddddddddddd Philipp Lahm played the ball over the top and Ribery squared it for Mueller to shoot inside the far post.He completed his hat trick minutes later, when Mario Goetze helped the ball on after a Ribery throw in.Bayerns three substitutes were all involved in the last goal. Arjen Robben ran at the home defence and was thwarted by Frankfurt keeper Felix Wiedwald before he played it back to Sebastian Rode. Shaqiri then deflected Rodes effort past the helpless goalkeeper.The fans were with us and we delivered a good game. Its a shame that the score was so high, Frankfurts U.S. international defender Timmy Chandler said.It was Frankfurts fourth league loss in a row and its fifth including the German Cup. Tough games await with Gladbach and then Dortmund the next opponents.Freiburg followed up its first win of the season last weekend by claiming a deserved second against Schalke.Christian Guenter opened the scoring in the 22nd after Sidney Sam lost the ball in midfield, and Jonathan Schmid capitalized on a poor clearance from Dennis Aogo to make it 2-0 in the 68th.Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius made a number of saves to deny Leverkusen, which had 24 efforts at goal, a Bundesliga high this season.Were playing well in the Champions League and were well positioned there, Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt said. Were playing well in the Bundesliga but were not well positioned there. We need to change that.In Augsburg, Tobias Werner scored in the seventh minute and he made it 2-0 against Paderborn with a diving header early in the second half. The midfielder also created his sides third, with a free kick for Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker to score with a header in the 68th.Hoffenheim got off to a flying start against Cologne when Adam Szalai scored early, only for Pawel Olkowski to equalize three minutes later.Matthias Lehmann then put the visitors ahead seven minutes after that with a free kick inside the right post, and Anthony Ujah made it 3-1 after a strong run in the 35th.Roberto Firmino pulled one back for Hoffenheim four minutes later and the Brazilian equalized with a header before halftime.However, Olkowski scored Colognes winner with his second in the 83rd. Blackhawks Jerseys Store Cheap Wild Jerseys Cheap Red Wings Jerseys Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys Penguins Jerseys Store Capitals Jerseys For Sale Blues Jerseys Store Cheap Kings Jerseys Adidas Lightning Jerseys Stars Jerseys For Sale Cheap Predators Jerseys Ducks Store Sharks Jerseys For Sale Cheap Sabres Jerseys Rangers Jerseys For Sale ' ' '