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Ian Desmond didnt settle on a new team until late February, his puzzling free-agent saga finally ending when he signed a one-year deal with Texas.Now Desmond looks like a bargain for the Rangers -- and a big reason theyre comfortably ahead in the AL West.Desmonds $8 million deal with the Rangers seemed almost humbling after hed rejected a qualifying offer from Washington worth nearly twice that amount. He also had to switch positions, moving from shortstop to the outfield. But Desmond has been outstanding after a slow start, and through Wednesdays games, he was batting .320 with 15 home runs, 54 RBI and 15 stolen bases.Its off-the-charts incredible. Just the leadership, athleticism, manager Jeff Banister said. I dont want to put any one single player ahead of any others. But you take him out of our lineup and off our team, it has a different look to it.Desmond wasnt the biggest name to change teams last offseason, and he certainly wasnt the most expensive signing, but moves like this can shift the course of a division race if they pan out. Desmond has turned a tough situation into a success story, and Texas has been rewarded for its confidence in him.You look at the slugging numbers, the OPS and what hes done out of the 2-hole for us in runs scored -- has been as good as anybody in our lineup, Banister said. To make the transition to the outfield, has been more than serviceable. He has been really good in center field.Here are a few other offseason acquisitions who have made significant contributions for their new teams:ZACK GREINKE, DIAMONDBACKSThe Diamondbacks signed Greinke to a six-year, $206.5 million contract, and the right-hander got off to an awful start, finishing April with a 5.50 ERA. He eventually settled in and started to look like the pitcher he was last year.He won seven straight starts from May 17 to June 18, and hes now 10-3 with a 3.62 ERA.Hes great, Arizona slugger Paul Goldschmidt said. Hes been pitching for 10-plus years so he knows what hes doing. He had a few rough starts but then he was really, really good for eight, nine, 10. It was a lot of fun to play behind him after being on the other side the last few years.Greinke is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique. The team has set no timetable for his return but hopes it is shortly after the All-Star break. Arizona is well under .500 despite Greinkes efforts.DANIEL MURPHY, NATIONALSAfter his big postseason helped the New York Mets win the National League pennant, Murphy signed a $37.5 million, three-year contract with division-rival Washington. The Nationals now lead the Mets by four games atop the NL East, in part because Murphy is hitting an NL-best .345. The 31-year-old second baseman also has 14 homers and 56 RBI.JOHNNY CUETO, GIANTSCueto had his ups and downs during a brief stint with Kansas City that ended in celebration when the Royals won the World Series. The Giants have little to complain about after signing the right-hander to a $130 million, six-year deal. Hes 13-1 with a 2.47 ERA after pitching his fourth complete game of the season Wednesday night. That victory gave San Francisco the best record in baseball.MARK TRUMBO, ORIOLESAfter going deep twice Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Trumbo leads the majors with 26 home runs. He came to Baltimore in a December trade with Seattle, and hes complemented his typical power with a higher-than-usual .285 batting average for the AL East-leading Orioles.FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ, TIGERSIt was easy to be skeptical when Detroit traded for K-Rod, considering the Tigers track record with closers lately. But Rodriguez has 23 saves in 25 chances in 2016 and has generally finished off games without much drama.---AP Sports Writer Bob Baum in Phoenix contributed to this report.Yeezy 350 Boost Usa .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Discount Adidas Nmd r1 . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. http://www.nmdsneakerssale.com/ . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Nmd Fake Vs Original . Pence singled in the winning run with no outs in the ninth inning to give the Giants a 7-6 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. Adidas Nmd Mens Near Me . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal.Sources close to Rafa Benitez claim a three-year deal for him to take charge at Newcastle is currently being discussed.Benitez, who is without a club after being sacked by Real Madrid in January, tops a wish-list of managers who the club would like to put in charge should they decide to dispense with current boss Steve McClaren. Sky sources reported on Wednesday that Newcastle made an approach for the Spaniard, who is keen to bring his own backroom staff to the club and wants the title of manager rather than head coach. Rafas ups and downs A look back at the career of the Spanish manager Newcastle are thought to be considering scrapping their current policy of employing a head coach in order to lure Benitez to St James Park. Steve McClaren arrived at the clubs Darsley Park training complex as normal on Thursday shortly after 8am and will continue to prepare the first-team squad for their clash against Premier League leaders Leicester City on Monday Night Football. Steve McClaren of Newcastle His position as head coach looked no closer to being resolved on Wednesday, despite speaking to managing director Lee Charnley on the telephone in the afternoon.dddddddddddd The pair were initially due to meet for talks but their planned meeting did not take place. Decision-makers We profile the key decision-makers at Newcastle… McClaren will not face the media on Thursday ahead of Newcastles trip to the King Power Stadium and will hold further discussions with Charnley following training.Saturdays 3-1 home defeat to Bournemouth condemned Newcastle to their fifth loss in six matches and left them in 19th place in the Premier League table. Also See:Newcastle approach BenitezRafas ups and downsNewcastle board hold talksVault: Leicester v Newcastle 1996 ' ' '