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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. Kenny Golladay Youth Jersey . And former Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson certainly knows his pain. "Its pretty hard to coach there without allowing some of these things to kind of affect you," Wilson told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun in his ESPN. Marvin Jones Jr Jersey . Grilli hasnt pitched since straining his left oblique in late April. Manager Clint Hurdle says the right-hander will make a couple of appearances in middle relief before the team determines whether to return Grilli to the back end of the bullpen. http://www.lionsfanspro.com/Black-Austin-Bryant-Lions-Jersey.html?cat=973 . The game was the first of two international friendlies that Canada is playing during the international break, with the second game against Slovenia set for Tuesday in Celje. Canada looked uncomfortable defensively throughout the game, and every free kick that came into Canadas penalty box looked like ending up in the back of the net. Will Harris Jersey . Bring on Freddy Garcia. The well-travelled 36-year-old right-hander earned his second NL victory since 2007, and his first since he joined the Atlanta Braves last month, pitching six innings to help beat Miami 6-1 Thursday. Jarrad Davis Lions Jersey .5 million, two-year contract that runs through 2015. Venable, the son of former big leaguer Max Venable, will make $4. MANCHESTER, England -- Sitting in the executive seats high up at Etihad Stadium, Mario Balotelli began life at Liverpool by watching his new team ruthlessly dismantled by the club he left 19 months ago. Manchester City showed just how difficult it will be to dethrone as English champion by beating one of its predicted title rivals 3-1 on Monday, making it two wins from two tough opening games of the Premier League season. Stevan Jovetic scored twice and fellow striker Sergio Aguero netted seconds after coming on as a substitute for City, demonstrating that the champions strength in depth up front has hardly diminished since selling the combustible Balotelli to AC Milan in January 2013. In fact, it has probably got even better. With Balotelli added to the ranks for 16 million pounds ($26.5 million) on Monday, Liverpool strengthened the one area of its squad that looked light following the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona last month. On this evidence, though, the Reds will struggle to close the two-point gap they finished behind City last season. "These games are games of six points," City manager Manuel Pellegrini said. "When you play at home, it is important not to drop points against important teams. Liverpool is an important team and will be fighting for the title at the end." Jovetic was a forgotten man last season after his big-money move from Fiorentina, his career stalling during a year that was blighted by injury and failure to break into Citys star-studded attack. The Montenegro striker starred for City in preseason, though, and with Aguero working his way to full fitness after the World Cup and Alvaro Negredo out injured, Jovetic is taking his chance to make a statement to Pellegrini. He pounced on a defensive lapse by Liverpool debutant Alberto Moreno to open the scoring in the 41st minute with a fierce low drive before starting and finishing a moove that also involved Samir Nasri for his second goal in the 55th, leaving Liverpool to regret not making the most of a decent start to the match.dddddddddddd. Aguero added the third in the 69th with his first touches of the ball after coming on for the injured Edin Dzeko, running onto Jesus Navas curling pass, taking a touch and sidefooting in at the near post. There were barely 20 seconds between Aguero jogging onto the pitch and wheeling away in celebration at his second goal of the season -- both as a substitute. City defender Pablo Zabaleta turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Rickie Lambert in the 83rd minute to deny the hosts a second straight clean sheet after an opening 2-0 win at Newcastle. But its so far, so good for Pellegrinis side, which joined Tottenham, Chelsea and Swansea on six points. For Liverpool, there is excitement at the arrival of Balotelli, but a fear that City may again be too good this season. "I am really looking forward to working with him," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said of Balotelli. "One thing he doesnt lack is confidence. "I have been very encouraged by the guy himself. He is very honest. He knows his flaws and faults and he is looking for someone to help him. There is no better club for him." Balotelli is one of nine signings Liverpool has made this summer with the proceeds of the Suarez sale. It will take them time to bed in and what Liverpool doesnt have is time, especially with City and Chelsea starting the season in such unforgiving mood. "Up until they scored, we were arguably the better side," Rodgers said. "But we switched off and Jovetic has finished it very well. We started the second half reasonably well and then we gave away two poor goals." Pellegrini said Dzekos injury wasnt serious and the striker is likely to be fit for Stoke at home on Saturday. ' ' '