DETROIT - Max Scherzer was ready for all the questions — and he doesnt seem to mind that his contract status is such a big topic as spring training approaches. Julian Draxler Germany Jersey . "I figured you guys wanted to talk about it, but this is the perfect time, during the off-season, when were not playing baseball," Scherzer said. Scherzer was at Comerica Park on Thursday for the start of the Detroit Tigers winter caravan. He recently agreed to a one-year, $15,525,000 deal with the Tigers, avoiding arbitration but leaving plenty of questions still unanswered about his future. Scherzer, last years AL Cy Young Award winner, can become a free agent after this season. He says he has no problem fielding questions about his future now, before spring training starts. By the time opening day rolls around, though, hell be focused on pitching. So theres a sense the clock is ticking if the Tigers want to lock up their star right-hander before he reaches free agency. Detroit signed ace Justin Verlander to a $180 million, seven-year deal shortly before last season, avoiding the prospect of Verlander testing the open market. But Verlander was two seasons away from free agency. Scherzer has only one more to go. "Every player wants to be a free agent," Scherzer said. "At the same time, you realize weve got a good thing here in Detroit." The Tigers have won three straight AL Central titles, and Scherzer went 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA last season, winning the Cy Young two years after Verlander did. General manager Dave Dombrowski didnt offer many specifics about the status of negotiations with Scherzer, but he left no doubt about how the organization feels about the 29-year-old pitcher. "I would not characterize our discussion as strong, weak, anything other than we are hopeful that wed like to have him in the organization for an extended time," Dombrowski said. "I know he has expressed a desire that hed like to stay here. Hopefully that leads to a position where something can happen." A couple recent deals have given Scherzer a sense of the type of contract that could await him. Clayton Kershaw, a two-time Cy Young winner who is four years younger than Scherzer, reached a $215 million, seven-year agreement to stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Japanese star Masahiro Tanaka came to terms with the New York Yankees for $155 million over seven years. "Owners are making more money, and therefore players are going to make more money," Scherzer said. "You have new TV money coming in. Thats good for everybody involved. Its win-win for the owners and for the players." Scherzer says his arm feels good, and that hell keep working to improve. He said his curveball can still progress, for example. "Theres always things you can tinker with in spring training. Its a great time to practice and try new things," he said. The question is whether this might be his final season in Detroit, but thats not a prospect Scherzer is too worked up about right now. "I love it here in Detroit. This is a great team, weve got so much talent, weve been together for so long, and Im comfortable," Scherzer said. "Obviously this is a place I want to play, and thats why I said hopefully we can get something done before spring training." Mats Hummels Germany Jersey . Knapp defeated American Alison Riske 6-3, 7-5 to secure Italys victory in the best-of-five series. She held a 5-2 lead in the second set, only to let Riske tie it at five. Sami Khedira Jersey . Rodriguez, who has steadfastly denied using banned substances while with the New York Yankees, made the decision nearly four weeks after arbitrator Fredric Horowitz largely upheld the discipline issued last summer by baseball Commissioner Bud Selig. "I think its a good move for him," former Commissioner Fay Vincent said. http://www.germanysoccerpro.com/Marc-Andre-Ter-Stegen-Germany-Jersey/ .com) - Real Madrid claimed its 16th consecutive victory across all competitions on Saturday after earning a 2-1 win over Malaga at the Estadio La Rosaleda.The Winnipeg Jets host the Philadelphia Flyers for their lone appearance at MTS Centre this season. The (9-9-2) Jets, winners of three in a row, are sixth in the Central Division with 20 points, two behind fifth-place Dallas and six back of Minnesota. The Wild host Winnipeg Sunday in St. Paul. Ondrej Pavelec (7-7-2, 2.85, .913, 1so) will start his fourth straight game in goal. Jets Projected Lines: Ladd-Little-WheelerKane-Jokinen-SetoguchiHalischuk-Scheifele-FrolikTangradi-Wright-Thorburn Clitsome-ByfuglienEnstrom-BogosianEllerby-Pardy Bryan Little (three goals, two assists) and Andrew Ladd (one goal, four assists) are on a three-game point streak. Philadelphia is coming off a 2-1 win in Pittsburgh Wednesday night and are also on a season-high three-game winning streak. Timo Werner Germany Jersey. Steve Mason (5-7-1, 2.15, .930, 1so) will start in goal. Flyers Projected Lines: Hartnell-Giroux-VoracekB. Schenn-Lecavalier-SimmondsDownie-Couturier-ReadRosehill-Hall-Rinaldo Timonen-CoburnGrossman-StreitGustafsson-L. Schenn Former Brandon Wheat King Brayden Schenn has scored three goals in the last two games and has five points (three goals, two assists) in his last three games. Jake Voracek (two goals, two assists) is also on a three-game point streak. The Flyers are winless in seven games when allowing the games opening goal. The Jets and Flyers play for a final time this season two weeks from tonight in Philadelphia. ' ' '