VANCOUVER, B.C. -- In a business where players and management are often looking at the long term, a six-month contract extension was the best solution for Kenny Miller and the Vancouver Whitecaps. The deal, announced Wednesday, gives the veteran striker security for the rest of this Major League Soccer season but keeps his options open for next year. For the Whitecaps, they can count on their designated players services as they battle for the playoffs, then evaluate if he fits into the teams long-range plans. "It works for both parties," Miller told reporters. Head coach Martin Rennie said the deal avoids a major distraction for the Whitecaps. "We were in a position where we could have lost a really valuable part of our team and we didnt want to do that," Rennie said. "Weve got ourselves in a position now where we know weve got him right through at least until the end of the season. It gives us continuity. It gives us a chance to keep building on the group we have." Under soccer rules, a player with six months left on his contract with one team can negotiate a deal with another club. Part of that new contract could be a transfer fee to release him early from his current team. Rangers FC in Glasgow, Scotland, were among several teams that had shown interest in Miller. The 33-year-old Edinburgh native played for Rangers in 2000 and returned for three more seasons in 2008. During that stretch he scored 49 goals in 81 matches. Millers current deal with the Whitecaps expired in December. The extension runs through June 2014. "It allows me to do what I should be concentrating on . . . which is we should get in the playoffs and have a successful end to the season," Miller said. "Hopefully the team will continue this good form and personally I can maintain that as well and get even better. "What it does is it gets everything settled between now and the end of the season. At the end of the season is far better to evaluate things, whether it be for a player to evaluate a position at a club or for management and coaches to evaluate their squad." Terms of the extension were not released. The Major League Soccer Players Union website says Millers guaranteed compensation for 2013 was US$1,132,492.00. The Whitecaps are fourth in the Western Conference with 32 points (9-6-5). Hampered by a hamstring injury early in the season, Miller has six goals in the 12 games hes played for the Whitecaps. Named the Week 16 player of the week, the five-foot-10 striker is tied for the second most game-winning goals in the league this season with four. Vancouver is 8-2-1 with Miller in the starting lineup. The Scottish International signed last July 16. He has started 20 of his 26 appearances in Vancouver and scored eight goals. As a designated player, just US$368,750 of Millers salary counts against the MLS salary cap of US$2.950 million. Miller has made 69 appearances for Scotland and scored 17 goals. During his career hes won the Scottish Premier League, Scottish FA Cup, and Scottish League Cup with Rangers and Celtic. Miller hinted he would be happy to stay in Vancouver. "If there was a longer contract on the table we would be attending that," he said. Come the new year Miller will again be in a position to talk with other clubs. Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi said negotiating another contract with Miller will be easier when the team has a better understanding of what its needs might be in 2014. "I think we are going to allow for the process to run its course," Lenarduzzi said. "I would suggest we will be sitting down with him to discuss next year. Its an option that suits his needs." The Whitecaps will likely have several players looking for salary increases. That could impact what the Whitecaps can offer Miller for 2014. "What we need to do is look at how we manage our cap for next year," said Lenarduzzi. "Were at the max on it. Any movements that take place now will likely be more minor movements. "We need to keep our options open as far as that number, determine what type of player do we need to be recruiting for next year. That could be Kenny. Not having the ability to assess at the end of the season would have bound us and may have bound us to the point we may be missing out on upgrading on other positions." Discount Air Max Shoes . Team physician Dr. Steve Traina performed the surgery Friday. Robinson was injured in a spill underneath the Nuggets basket during the first quarter of Wednesday nights loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. Discount Air Max Shoes Wholesale . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. http://www.cheapairmaxdiscount.com/ . The Olympic champion curler and TSN curling analyst immediately went online to look at the Halls long list of honoured members. Thats when the enormity of the honour sunk in. Air Max Discount .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Cheap Air Max Shoes Online . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. DETROIT -- Daniel Norris battled cancer, fought through a back injury and spent an extended period in the minor leagues. Hes finally in the place he expected to be this season -- the Detroit Tigers starting rotation.Norris makes his second start for the Tigers in the finale of a nine-game homestand Wednesday afternoon against Miami. Detroit is 5-3 on the homestand after defeating the Marlins 7-5 on Tuesday.The second-year left-hander got a no-decision against Seattle on Thursday, allowing three runs -- all solo home runs -- in five innings with five strikeouts. Hes trying to solidify a spot in the five-man rotation.As of right now, I just appreciate every day that Im here, said Norris, who will be making his first career appearance against the Marlins.Its understandable he feels that way after a rocky road back to the majors. Norris was the top prospect the Tigers acquired in the non-waiver deadline deal that sent ace David Price to Toronto last season. He made eight starts with Detroit last season, going 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA.Norris was diagnosed with thyroid cancer shortly after the season and underwent surgery in late October. He was pronounced cancer free but suffered a back injury in spring training.He was sent to the minors during his recovery and wound up making 11 starts for Triple-A Toledo before he was recalled.I felt like I couldnt catch a breath for awhile, he said. It was just one thing after another. I just tried to wake up thinking good thoughts and being positive about it. Sure, I had some days where I said Whats going on here? When I hurt my back in the spring, it was really hard to focus because I had so many expectations for this year. Those had to be delayed but I knew my time woulld come at some point.ddddddddddddDetroit manager Brad Ausmus believes Norris biggest challenge now is not dwelling on his mistakes.The progress Id like to see from him is not beating himself up so much when he gives up a hit or a home run, Ausmus said. Youve got to learn to put it behind you because it might affect the next batter youre facing.Miami altered its rotation for the next two games. Right-hander Tom Koehler starts against the Tigers while lefty Wei-Yin Chen will pitch the series opener at Atlanta on Thursday. Left-hander Adam Conley started Tuesday and couldnt get out of the fifth after tossing four scoreless innings.Its really a chance to give (Chen) a little bit of a breather but Atlanta is just stacked with lefties and these guys (the Tigers) are stacked with righties, Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. It makes a little sense for us to flip those two guys and it also allows us to split our lefties, rather than having them back-to-back.Koehler has only faced Detroit once -- a late September start in 2013 when he pitched 5 1/3 innings in a 3-2 victory.Miami is 9-5 over its last 14 games with the aid of some stellar defense. Its infield has not committed an error since May 29, a 27-game streak. Its the longest such streak since at least 1913.In general, I think were a good defensive team, Mattingly said. Weve got a lot of guys that catch the ball well. It was a trademark before we got here. Its one of our strengths that were usually in the right spot. We were a little rough early but for the most part, we havent given up a bunch of extra bases or extra outs. ' ' '
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