o work hard together, sacrifice, do things that its going to take for us

HOUSTON - The Astros agreed with Chris Carter on a one-year contract for $4,175,000 on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration with the slugging designated hitter. Adidas Originals Gazelle Schweiz .Im just thrilled to be an Astro and to have this deal done so I can concentrate on the upcoming season and building on my success last year, Carter told The Associated Press.Carter tied for second in the majors with a career-high 37 homers last season. The 28-year-old hit .227 with 88 RBIs, which also were the most of his career and led the Astros. It was his second season in Houston after a trade from Oakland.Carter spent 118 games at designated hitter and started 14 games at first base and six in the outfield.The Astros made a 19-game improvement last season to end a string of three-straight 100-loss seasons. With an offence led by Carter and Jose Altuve, a solid starting rotation and the addition of relievers Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek, Houston expects to take another step in 2015.I am excited about the way the team is shaping up and I feel like the new additions, combined with our core players, will help us be more successful in 2015, Carter said.The deal gives Carter a big raise — he made just $510,000 last season. And Wednesdays agreement includes several award bonuses, among them $25,000 for being named to the All-Star game and $25,000 if he wins a Silver Slugger award.Carter hit 29 homers in 2013 in his first full season in the majors. He had a tough start to 2014 before heating up after July 1 to finish three home runs behind MLB leader Nelson Cruz (40). Carter led the American League last season by hitting a home run once every 13.7 at-bats. His power had always been undeniable but in the second half of last season he made some tweaks to help him make more consistent contact and raise his batting average.The changes allowed the 6-foot-4, 250-pound slugger to hit 20 homers and 48 RBIs in July and August combined. Carter participated in the Japan All-Star series this off-season and spent the rest of the time preparing for the season at his home in Las Vegas.Im continuing working on what I worked on in the second half of the season and hope to carry it into this season, he said.Other arbitration eligible players for Houston are catchers Jason Castro, Hank Conger and Carlos Corporan, outfielder Dexter Fowler, shortstop Marwin Gonzalez and left-handed reliever Tony Sipp.___AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. Adidas Nmd XR1 Schweiz . Altidore strained his left hamstring in the Americans opener against Ghana on June 16 and didnt play in their next two games. "We dont know how much because we need to see how hes going, but hes available," U. Nmd Schweiz Kaufen .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings take aim at an eighth straight victory on Monday night as they wrap up a road trip versus the Calgary Flames. http://www.nmdschweizkaufen.ch/ . Last year, Matt Kuchar closed with a 4-under 68 to beat Kevin Chappell by two strokes for his second win of the 2013 season and sixth of his career. OTTAWA -- Ottawas new CFL franchise has unveiled its uniforms, which put a fresh twist on a familiar colour scheme. The expansion Redblacks home jersey is predominantly black with red trim, while the away jersey is white black strips down the sides. Those colours have a long association with professional sports teams in the nations capital going back to the original Rough Riders football franchise and the "barber-pole"-style jerseys of Ottawas famed Silver Seven and original Senators hockey teams. The players numbers and the lettering on their names feature stylized axe notches, a nod to the citys history as a lumber town. The uniforms were unveiled at a fashion show-type event in Ottawa where the coaching staff and cheerleaders also showed off their new duds. Veteran quarterback Henry Burris gave the uniforms a thumbs up. "Oh my gosh, letts play football right now," he said as he stood on the stage with some of his teammates. Nmd Schweiz. He also spoke of the chemistry in the locker room that developed at the teams mini-camp in Virginia. "It was a great opportunity for us not only to build our team on the field, but also get to know guys off the field," he said. "I can tell you one great thing: not only did Marcel (Desjardins, the teams general manager) and the gang bring in a bunch of great players on the field, but also great people. To me, the number one characteristic of building a winning team, a great organization, is making sure you have a great relationship in the locker room. "This is going to be a great group of guys that are going to work hard together, sacrifice, do things that its going to take for us to have success on the field." ' ' '