TORONTO -- Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Thursday that hes confident hell have financial flexibility should he need it later in the season. Giorgio Tavecchio Jersey . Anthopoulos, who held a media availability before his team opened a four-game series against Kansas City, was asked about an online report by columnist Peter Gammons that quoted him saying the team is "pretty much maxed out" in terms of payroll. "Were at our number to start the year," Anthopoulos explained to reporters. "Thats fair so I dont think it varies from anything else weve ever said." The Blue Jays, who have a payroll of about US$135 million, dont have a locked-in salary ceiling. If a situation presented itself, it appears there would be room to heighten it if needed. Toronto has been one of the surprises of the American League this season, rising to the top of the East division and taking a nine-game winning streak into Thursdays game. Talk of potential upgrades and loading up for a post-season run is already underway in the playoff-starved city even though the season is barely one-third old. Anthopoulos said while its still quite early, he does not expect to be hamstrung when it comes to finances. "I have every confidence that if we have a need come the trade deadline, which is obviously late July, I have every confidence that well have the resources to do that," Anthopoulos said. "I dont have any doubts about that at all." The teams purse strings were in the news last April when reports surfaced that some Toronto players discussed deferring portions of their salary to help land Ervin Santana. The free agent pitcher ended up signing with Atlanta for the same one-year US$14-million deal offered by the Jays. But Anthopoulos stressed that if something came up in the next month or two, he feels the team could take on salary if required. "We may need to be creative, we may need to do some things," he said. "But weve been able to add payroll when needed." One potential upgrade area is the starting rotation, which has improved significantly this season despite Brandon Morrow going on the 60-day disabled list and a variety of pitchers handling the No. 5 spot. Anthopoulos gave credit to his starters and said their performance will be key going forward. "I know the offence has been great, were hitting home runs and all that, its fun to watch," he said. "But we will go as far as the rotation will bring us, there is no doubt about that." The Blue Jays could get an in-house upgrade if Morrow is able to return to form. "Well have more of a report by the end of June," Anthopoulos said. "Hes going to be back around the all-star break and by late June, he should be going out on a rehab assignment. So I think it could actually time well." For now, Anthopoulos is focusing on preparations for next weeks draft. He expects GMs to pick up trade discussions once the selection process is complete. "Were not having any active talks at all," Anthopoulos said. "Were really immersed in the draft right now. But I do expect once that draft is over and we get to the Monday after the draft, I think thats when everyone is going to start making the calls again." The teams play over the next month will determine the GMs next move. But again, Anthopoulos doesnt believe money will be an issue. "I think if were in a good position at the beginning of July, well know the landscape a little bit more with what our needs are," he said. "I have every confidence in the world that I can have that conversation with (president) Paul (Beeston), and Paul has that conversation with ownership. "But one, we need to be playing well at that time and were still very far away from that (date)." Brandon Parker Jersey . But unfortunately for the Niagara Falls, Ont., native, a pulled muscle wouldnt allow him to go past the second set. Japan sealed its victory over Canada in the first-round Davis Cup tie after Nishikori downed an ailing Dancevic 6-2, 1-0. Justin Ellis Jersey . Englands only win in the four most recent trips north had been tight, and Scotland was expected after losing 28-6 to Ireland six days ago to show some venom against its archrival. http://www.officialraidersgear.com/Raiders-Rashaan-Melvin-Draft-Jersey/ . The Detroit Tigers star had microfracture surgery Friday to repair the medial and lateral meniscus in his left knee. "I dont want to say it was a surprise," team president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said.ABBOTSFORD, B.C. -- Texas Stars centre Dustin Jeffrey flew under the Abbotsford Heats radar, but hes sure to attract more attention in the future. The 26-year-old spoiled Abbotsfords annual morning school day game Tuesday as he scored his first two goals of the American Hockey League season to lift the Texas Stars over the Abbotsford Heat 3-1. Entering Tuesdays game, Jeffrey had just three assists in 33 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars and Texas Stars. "Its been a difficult year," he said. "To get these two goals is big. I thought Ive been playing pretty well, helping our team in different ways with the penalty kill and whatever they need, so to contribute this way at a 10:30 a.m. game is big." "Dustins a great hockey player," added teammate Brendan Ranford. "Hes been chugging a little bit of late trying to get that puck into the net a Hes been going hard to the net and a lot of bounces werent going in for him, but tonight they were." Jeffreys second goal proved to be the game winner. Ranford sped down the left side of the ice and dished the puck off to Jeffrey who buried it just under Joey MacDonalds blocker from the top of the left circle at 8:55 of the middle period. "(Jamie Oleksiak) made a great breakout play," said Jeffrey. "We ended up having a four on three rush. I just took a step back and let the guys charge the net, (Ranford) hit me with the pass and it went right through the screen." Brett Richie had a goal, while Ranford picked up two assists. Oleksiak and Scott Glennie each added an assist in the victory. "We knew it was going to battle," said Jeffrey. "We knew that for us to be successful we had to play a strong game and take our chances when they came." Jack Campbell stopped 23 shots in the win for Texas (34-16-8). Dwayne Harris Jersey. "Campbell hasnt played in forever because of the injury hes been having," Ranford said. "Hes an exceptional goalie a Hes always square to the shooter and he played very well for us and thats what we need." Sven Baertschi had the lone goal for the Heat (33-19-6), who are now winless in their last five games. "I thought it was a great game from both sides," Baertschi said. "It was up and down, and great speed, too. It was a lot of fun to play today. We just couldnt put the puck in." MacDonald stopped 22 of 25 shots in the loss. Texas went 0-for-1 in on the power play while Abbotsford was 0-for-3. "In general, they were opportunistic," said Abbotsford head coach Troy Ward. "We had a couple of those chances, and we didnt score a They were just a little bit more opportunistic this morning." At 14:41 of the first period, MacDonald denied Texas forward Colton Sceviour when he stacked his pads to make a stop. Baertschi opened the scoring less than a minute later with a snap shot from the bottom of the right circle, beating Campbell high glove side. Jeffrey tied the game at 19:21 with his first goal of the season. Glennie found the puck down low and worked it behind the net to Ranford who found Jeffrey in front for the easy tap-in. "Glennie made a pretty good play to draw two of the defenders to him and that left Ranford open," explained Jeffrey. "He made a good play coming around the net and I just tried to create space in front of the net. He made a great play to find me and it basically went right off my stick." Brett Richie gave Texas a 3-1 lead at 10:29 of the third period on an unassisted breakaway, splitting two Heat defenders and going backhand high over a sprawling MacDonald. Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '