Sonstiges » ry to persuade Messi to return. Friday is the FIFA deadline

CHICAGO -- Now that the Chicago Cubs have clinched a spot in the postseason for the second consecutive year, lets take an early peek at what a playoff roster might look like. As manager Joe Maddon has indicated several times recently, some on the roster will be determined by who the opponent is, so adjustments will be made accordingly based on a first-round, best-of-five series.Because the Cubs used 11 pitchers and 14 position players last year in the National League Division Series, well use that as our standard here, but thats no guarantee as pitching coach Chris Bosio has already indicated they might want more help in the bullpen.Position player locks: Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell, Kris Bryant, Jason Heyward, Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, Dexter Fowler, Willson Contreras, David Ross, Matt Szczur, Tommy La Stella.On the bubble: Miguel Montero, Chris Coghlan and Albert Almora.My call: If the Cubs keep 14 position players, the decision may not be that difficult here. Montero and Coghlan would probably get the edge based on a couple of factors: Theyre both veterans and theyre both left-handed. The Cubs likely would be OK with carrying three catchers -- especially when one is a rookie and another is 39 years old -- as that would give Maddon more flexibility within a game. If Fowler needed to come out late for defensive reasons, a better case could be made for Almora. Szczur is more than capable as a late-inning defensive replacement as well.Coghlan might be on the outside looking in if the Cubs keep only 13 position players. La Stella and Szczur get the edge because of their ability to come off the bench and deliver a hit or walk. There is a chance Almora makes it over Coghlan no matter how many they keep, but with righty closers throughout the NL postseason, lefty bats off the bench could be most important.Pitching locks: Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta, John Lackey, Aroldis Chapman, Pedro Strop, Hector Rondon, Justin Grimm, Travis Wood, Carl Edwards Jr.On the bubble: Joe Smith, Mike Montgomery, Rob Zastryzny, Trevor Cahill, Jason Hammel.My call: The Cubs are deeper in the bullpen this year than last, and if they play the Giants or Cardinals they will absolutely want another left-hander back there, so Montgomery actually might be closer to a lock than on the bubble. Remember, Wood has been awful against righties, so hes almost a one-batter pitcher in a close game unless lefties are stacked next to each other in the lineup.Smith and Hammel have allowed too many home runs, which can change a postseason game quickly. Zastryzny is a rookie and if not for Montgomerys presence, he might make the roster. Cahill could be the odd man out as he has been inconsistent and is best suited for long relief, a spot the Cubs hope they wont need come October.With weeks until the postseason, things could change simply based on who gets hot down the stretch. And how many pitchers versus position players?they keep will undoubtedly be an intense discussion between the Cubs front office and their manager. Clearance Nike Shoes . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. Nike Shoes Outlet . Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup. http://www.cheapshoesnikechina.com/ . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. 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Argentina Olympic team coach Julio Olarticoechea said that neither he nor his coaching staff have received their salary from the Argentina Football Federation (AFA).Argentina crashed out of the Olympic football tournament at the group stage on Wednesday after a 1-1 draw with Honduras?amid institutional problems in AFA that forced FIFA to intervene back in June.The Albiceleste, who had been in danger of missing the Rio tournament just weeks before the opening ceremony due to AFAs current chaos, failed to reach the second stage of the competition for the first time since 1964.Olarticoechea, who stepped up to take the job just weeks before the Olympics after national team coach Gerardo Martinos abrupt resignation, reportedly over similar salary issues, told Argentinas media that AFA has hit rock bottom.?He said that he was borrowing money from his daughter to make ends meet this summer. His contract runs through March.Yesterday my wife called me to tell me that we are borrowing money from my daughter [Johana], who is a baker and earns a good salary, he told La Nacion. She told me to speak to the AFA leaders and tell them that we need to be paid. I am taking money from my daughter. That is enough to make you cry, but that is the reality.It is as though they [AFA] are saying they dont value you, as if you just arrived at AFA by coincidence, he said.?The federation, led by Julio Grondona since 1979, has been in turmoil since the late FIFA senior vice president died in 2014.In June, FIFA stepped in and named a committee to run the federations daily affairs with a mandate that elections must be held by July 2017.I hear the criticism from the people who say that we are dooing this for the money, but they are wrong, Olarticoechea told Radio Continental.dddddddddddd When you get to this level, it is no longer about money. It is about representing Argentina. And when you lose, you are totally destroyed. I know how each player feels.He blasted AFA for not paying his coaching staff.I dont make much and I dont complain about the poor salary, he said. Caldero [Pablo Calderon], my assistant, he does a million things and he earns just 18,000 pesos ($1200) monthly and he hasnt been paid in three months. He did everything, he organised everything for the players, he was a huge help.Argentinas senior team, coached by Edgardo Bauza, are currently preparing for September World Cup 2018 qualifiers against Uruguay and Venezuela without their star, Lionel Messi, who abruptly quit following the teams loss to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final.Bauza was in Barcelona on Thursday to try to persuade Messi to return. Friday is the FIFA deadline for squad names for the September matches.Messi also made reference to federation problems a few days before the Copa final, saying that AFA was a disaster after the team had suffered delayed flights and had experienced problems finding opponents for training games -- traditionally Argentina take a group of juniors to tournaments to serve as sparring partners for the senior side.?Maradona claimed that the current chaos within the Argentina federation was institutional and that Barcelona star Lionel Messi was right to call out the federation during the Copa America Centenario. ' ' '