Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Miami Marlins made it official Friday, inking infielder Jeff Baker to a two-year contract. No financial terms were disclosed, but previous reports from the Miami Herald had the deal worth $3.7 million. A nine-year veteran, Baker appeared in 74 games with the Texas Rangers last season, batting .279 with 11 homers and 21 RBI. "We are very excited to add such an experienced player in Jeff Baker," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. "Offensively and defensively, we like the options that his versatility will provide (manager) Mike Redmond." Baker is a career .267 hitter with 48 homers and 199 RBI over 617 games with the Rockies, Cubs, Tigers, Braves and Rangers. The Marlins designated outfielder Jimmy Paredes for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Cheap Air Max 95 VaporMax ." Bach is in Rome for the European Olympic Committees general assembly and meetings with Pope Francis. He also visited with Italian Premier Enrico Letta. "The prime minister appeared to be interested in a bid from Italy for 24, because he has realized that the games can serve as a catalyst for development for a city and a country," Bach told The Associated Press on Saturday. Wholesale Nike Air Max Shoes . With the Nets winning streak in jeopardy, Williams scored 23 points, 11 in the final six minutes, to lead Brooklyn to a 104-99 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night. http://www.discountairmax.com/. -- Canadas Nicole Vandermade won the Four Winds Invitational on Sunday for her first Symetra Tour title, closing with a 4-under 68 for a one-stroke victory. Sale Air Max Online . The win puts the final playoff berth in Group A in question. If the Czechs beat Slovakia on Tuesday, they will go through. If they lose, Germany will get the last quarter-final berth. Cheap Air Max 2018 Shoes . Stiverne stopped Chris Arreola in the sixth round Saturday night, claiming the WBC heavyweight title belt vacated by Vitali Klitschko. TORONTO -- Steve Nash had a good chuckle at ESPN personality Jason Whitlocks suggestion that Canadians in the NBA are not as motivated to succeed as their American counterparts. "Andrew Wiggins is from Canada," Whitlock said on Keith Olbermanns ESPN show Monday night. "And Canadian athletes, I think, among NBA players and NBA people, perhaps dont want it as much as even some of the Europeans, and certainly the American players." Nash, a two-time NBA MVP and the general manager of Canadas senior mens squad, was in town for a three-day camp before the team departed for a European exhibition series. He responded to Whitlocks comments after the teams final practice. "Its a wonderful sweeping generalization, really good. Hit it on the head there," Nash said. The 40-year-old, who broke into the league during the 1996-97 season with the Phoenix Suns, admitted he had to overcome knocks in his game as a young player making a name for himself. He said Wiggins will have to learn to silence his critics too. "I had to prove that I was athletic enough to play in the NBA," said the Los Angeles Lakers point guard. "His athleticism isnt a question, theyre worrying about his motivation and desire. "Hell overcome it. Hell take that criticism, like he always has over the last four or five years, and overcome it. Theres times where wed always like to see him show a little more alpha male, but when the games on the line, I never see him turn away slights as motivation and hell overcome it." When asked about the perception in the NBA that Canadian players are not tough enough or eager enough, Canada head coach Jay Triano had a differing opinion. "Steves pretty tough to play and be able to do what hes doing," Triano said. "I think Tristan (Thompson) is a tough player. Robert Sacre is a tough player. Maybe well go on this trip and drop the gloves a little bit and create tthat hockey mentality then well define ourselves a little bit better.dddddddddddd" Triano added that the upcoming 11-game, 20-day European road trip will play a big part in defining his teams toughness. "Were going to be playing against men who are representing their country and getting ready to play in the (World Cup) on their soil," said Triano. "This isnt going to be easy. Well find out a little bit about our toughness while were on this trip and I think its something that will evolve as these players get more experience." On Tuesday, Canada Basketball announced its 15-man roster for the exhibition trip, which includes Cory Joseph (San Antonio), Andrew Nicholson (Orlando), Kelly Olynyk (Boston) and Robert Sacre (Lakers). Noticeably absent from the roster are the likes of Wiggins and Anthony Bennett (Cleveland) and Tyler Ennis (Phoenix). Both Ennis and Bennett have been around the three-day training camp, but did not participate. "Maybe next summer when the Olympics are on the line, we can get everybody together, but were talking about so many dynamics: the schedule, bodies, what their (NBA) clubs want, what their teams feel is best for them at this time in their career," said Nash. "Even the guys that arent on the trip, AB (Bennett), Tyler came by today, Tristan last night. Guys want to be a part of it. "I think were going to have a great turnout next summer when it really matters and weve got enough guys here this summer for it to make a difference." The team departed for its four-city road trip on Tuesday. Canada opens Thursday against Slovenia and will also play in Croatia, Italy and Spain before returning home Aug. 13. Canada will play games against World Cup host Spain and qualifiers Slovenia, Ukraine, Croatia (twice), Serbia, Turkey and Angola. They will also play exhibition games with non-qualifiers Georgia, Italy and Bosnia. ' ' '