he took on over the summer with Spain,

Free-agent center fielder Ian Desmond rejected a one-year, $17.2 million qualifying offer from the Texas Rangers on Monday and instead will seeks a new contract on the open market.A year ago, Desmond turned down a qualifying offer from the Washington Nationals before settling for a one-year deal with Texas worth $8 million.The Rangers converted the former shortstop into an outfielder this past season, and he earned his second career All-Star selection. He finished with stats of? .285/.335/.446, 22 home runs, 86 RBIs and 21 stolen bases as the Rangers repeated as AL West Division winners.Texas will receive a compensatory draft pick if Desmond signs elsewhere.Joel Sherman of the New York Post first reported Desmonds decision. Wholesale Cleveland Browns Jerseys . Schenn scored the game-winning goal and added two assists to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. Cheap Cleveland Browns Jerseys . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. http://www.cheapbrownsjerseysauthentic.com/ . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Cheap Browns Jerseys . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. Cheap Browns Jerseys Authentic . JOHNS, N. RIO DE JANEIRO -- When Tom Thibodeau and Scott Layden were hired to take over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the expectation within the organization and around the NBA was that they were coming in to make significant changes to a franchise with the longest-running playoff drought in the league.Ricky Rubio heard his name floated in the constant trade rumor mill, never more than after the Wolves selected Providences Kris Dunn, another point guard, with the fifth overall pick in the June draft.Rubio remained quiet throughout the summer, putting all of his focus into grieving the loss of his mother and then joining his national team to prepare for the Olympics. Now that the Rio Games have concluded and Rubio has earned a bronze medal with Spain, he said he is looking forward to returning to Minnesota to work with Dunn and reiterated his desire to remain with the Timberwolves and help turn them into a winner.Really its a challenge. When a young guy like him who has a lot of potential comes, I think we can really play together, Rubio told The Associated Press. But if we dont [share the floor often], I can really help him [Dunn].Rubio said he was pleased by Thibodeaus hiring and believes the new coaching staff will make a big difference on a young, impressionable roster.I think weve got all the pieces together to make something happen, he said. Im really excited about the new coach and the new staff. They have a lot of years in their backpack and really can teach us how to reach the next level. I think we have the tools. We just have to put all them together.Thibodeau has said he can see Dunn and Rubio playing together in certain lineups, and indications within the organization are that there are no current efforts to trade the veteran starter. One of the teams biggest weaknesses last season was the lack of a solid backup to Rubio at point guard, a setup that caused the Wolves to try to move Zach LaVine from his more natural shooting guard spott.ddddddddddddWith Dunn in the mix, the Wolves have more depth now. And Rubios presence assures the team doesnt have to force a rookie into a starting spot at one of the games most important positions.The 25-year-old Rubio is entering his sixth season and has yet to see the playoffs. He said that concerns him far more than his team investing a high lottery pick on a player at his position. Rubio believes he can serve as a mentor to Dunn and hopes the two can push each other to new heights.Its something that Ive said since day one. said Rubio, who averaged 10.1 points and 8.7 assists per game last season. I dont want to be in the newspaper. I just want to win. Thats my goal. If I have to sacrifice something -- I will to make this team a winning team.That is the mentality he took on over the summer with Spain, a team filled with proud veterans who take lesser roles when they get together in the summer to compete in the Olympics.All we do [with Spain] when we click is put all the egos apart and really click as a team, Rubio said. The guy who really knows how to [play] defense, put him in on defense. The guy who is exceptional on offense, give him credit and give him the ball. Put everything apart and the team first.Rubio has had several conversations with Thibodeau since he was hired. But they havent had the time to really dig into the situation. Thibodeau was an assistant on Team USA in Rio, so now that the Olympics are over, the two expect to have more in-depth conversations.In my five years Ive been there, definitely its the best group, Rubio said. Players, coaches, you put it all together and its the best weve ever had. The excitement is real. We have really young talent that can really take us to the next level with veterans that can help. And the coach, I think, is going to be the key and the difference. ' ' '