Asked how close the Leafs were to being a Stanley

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MONTMELO, Spain -- Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso is telling his local fans to keep their expectations low for this Sundays Spanish Grand Prix. Sean Doolittle Jersey . The two-time former Formula One champion downplayed his third-place finish three weeks ago in China and said progress is going slow for Ferrari as it tries to make up ground on Mercedes. "If I say we will fight for the podium I will probably be lying to you, and I dont want to disappoint our fans," Alonso said on Thursday, a day before practice begins at the seasons first event in Europe. Alonso sits third in the standings with 41 points after Mercedes pair Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton swept the first four races of the season. Rosberg leads the standings with 79 points with Hamilton four points behind. Ferraris last win came at Montmelo one year ago when Alonso got his second career victory on the circuit. Since then, it is on its longest streak without a victory in almost two decades after Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel dominated the end of last season before Mercedes took the lead this year. Alonso has yet to crack the top three spots in qualifying so far in 2014, while Kimi Raikkonen has fared even worse in his return to the team that he won the world title with in 2007. The Finn hasnt finished in the top six spots in any race, and has also lacked speed in qualifying. "We finished ninth and 10th in Bahrain and did podium in China because we had some things (come) together on that Sunday, but it is not that we are in a position to say we will fight for the podium here," Alonso said. "Barcelona is a good point to check how competitive we are." Alonso said Ferraris upgrade package is "nothing out of the world" and that the biggest advantage he will have is his knowledge of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with its single straightaway, which he hoped would reduce Mercedes ability to leverage its better overall speed. The race will be Ferraris second under new team principal Marco Mattiacci after he replaced Stefano Domenicali. Mattiacci, a former president of Ferrari North America but with no experience in F1, arrived to Shanghai in time to watch Alonso steer to a third-place finish. Alonso said Mattiacci was meeting with everyone on the team-- from drivers to engineers and crew members-- but needed time to learn the sport before he put his stamp on the Italian team. "At the moment everything is more or less the same," Alonso said. "Everything is calm, no big changes. In China, Marco arrived with little experience in motor racing and lots of experience on the management side, but he is listening and learning as much as he can. I dont think Marco wants to become an engineer, but he will need some time to settle down and make some decisions. "It is a good thing for Ferrari to move forward and past some historical mistakes." Rollie Fingers Jersey . -- Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer, Colby Rasmus drove in two runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 9-4 on Saturday. Brandon Moss Jersey . Liriano pitched in and out of trouble in his duel with Josh Beckett, and Ike Davis homered to help the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 Friday night. http://www.athleticsauthenticshop.com/authentic-catfish-hunter-athletics-jersey/ . -- Zach Johnson is like most players at the World Challenge, not sure whether hes still playing in 2013 or if hes in the middle of the new wraparound season that officially started in October. TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs stood pat Wednesday, deciding that the cost to make a move on trade deadline day was too much. "We would have been hurting ourselves long-term and we werent prepared to do that," Dave Nonis, Torontos senior vice-president and general manager, told reporters. Nonis, who said he made plenty of calls to test the waters, said the asking prices were high and the talent on offer limited. The sense he got was there might be more movement come the summer. "There wasnt a lot available in general," he said. "I think deals that changed the look of your team seemed to happen at the draft." Nonis acknowledged that his team had been up and down, putting the onus on the Leafs to return to their winning ways before the Olympic break. "If we do, we should be fine. And if we dont, then were going to have some difficulties," he said. "But its not a bad team. I think weve got a good core group. Were very young still." Nonis said he did get trade inquiries, pointing to younger players like rookie defenceman Morgan Rielly -- who turns 20 on Sunday. "Morgan Riellys easy to move today. But it doesnt makes sense to us." He said the team could have got some "pretty good high picks" for some of its players facing unrestricted free agency this summer. One of thoose is forward Dave Bolland, who is recovering from a tendon injury. Mark McGwire Athletics Jersey. There is no time frame on his return, with Nonis saying some movement was still causing him discomfort. "Its going to take however long it takes. Im hopeful and confident that hell be back this year," said Nonis. Bolland had surgery after being checked into the board by Zack Kassian in a 4-0 loss in Vancouver on Nov. 2. Asked about taking on other teams unrestricted free agents via trade, Nonis said either the price was too high or he felt the Leafs already had comparable players. "Why pay a price for nothing? Asked how close the Leafs were to being a Stanley Cup contender, Nonis said the salary cap has changed the NHL landscape so that anyone who gets into the post-season has a chance to win it all. "Are there favourites? No question, Would I put ourselves in as a favourite? No. But I think you saw in the last year we were pretty close to moving on." Toronto, which took Boston to seven games in the first round of last seasons playoffs, was 32-23-8 going into Wednesday nights game in New York against the Rangers. Other Leafs who are eligible to become unrestricted free agents after the season are forwards Nikolai Kulemin, Jay McClement, Mason Raymond and Troy Bodie, and defenceman Paul Ranger. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '