Tourism Alliance assessed the economic impact of the tournament at $86.New

 The Toronto Blue Jays addressed a position of need by acquiring a closer from the Chicago White Sox. . Numbers Game examines the one-for-one swap of pitchers. The Blue Jays Get: RHP Sergio Santos. Santos, 28, was in the Blue Jays organization once already (2006-2008), only it was as a light-hitting shortstop. Since then, hes converted to pitcher and quickly rose through the White Sox bullpen to take over as their closer last season. In his second big league season, Santos posted a 4-5 record with 30 saves, a 3.55 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, striking out 92 batters in 63 1/3 innings. According to Fan Graphs, Santos struck out 35.4% of the batters he faced, the fourth-highest among relievers in baseball last season (behind Kenley Jansen, Craig Kimbrel and David Robertson). But, like his high-strikeout brethren, Santos also walked a lot of hitters -- 29 in 63 1/3 IP -- his 11.2% of batters faced ranking 28th-highest among major league relievers last season. That doesnt leave a lot of balls in play, but perhaps thats to be expected. Even as a converted infielder, Santos dials up the radar gun to an average fastball of 95.3 MPH (per ), but his slider, which he throws nearly one-third of the time, has been very effective as an out pitch. Because he doesnt have a great deal of major league experience and is signed to a long-term deal, Santos is relatively inexpensive. For the next three seasons, hes under contract for a total of $8.25-million, followed by team options in 2015, 2016 and 2017 which range from $6-million to $8.75-million (per www.mlbcontracts.blogspot.com). If hes a trusted closer with an established track record, Santos will still be affordable at that point. If hes no longer closer material, its easy enough to move on. Since the bullpen was a problem area for the Blue Jays in 2011, its no surprise that they addressed it by bringing in a new closer and, since the price is right, Santos appears to be a positive addition. The White Sox Get: RHP Nestor Molina. 22-year-old Molina has been dominant in five minor league seasons, going 12-3 with a 2.21 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 148 strikeouts and only 16 walks in 130 1/3 innings at Single-A and Double-A last season. Molinas strikeout rate was significantly higher last season than in his previous minor league stops, while his control remained excellent, so perhaps thats a sign that he could eventually be a part of the White Sox rotation. The downside to the deal is that if Molina doesnt become a major league starter, then he could be just a younger version of Santos, a late-inning bullpen arm. Such is the risk when dealing established players for prospects, the White Sox have to deal with the variance of projection. If Molina makes it as a mid-rotation starter, theyll be happy with how the deal played out. If hes a bullpen arm, its not so appealing, especially when they gave up an affordable, yet proven, bullpen arm to get him. If Molina doesnt make it, well, thats obviously the worst-case scenario. Since the White Sox plan to move 22-year-old LHP Chris Sale into the rotation next season, that leaves Matt Thornton, Jason Frasor and Jesse Crain as potential veteran candidates to close in Chicago. Perhaps most intriguing would be 22-year-old Addison Reed, who had 12 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings for the White Sox late last season after he had a 1.26 ERA and 0.73 WHIP, striking out 111 and walking 14 in 78 1/3 minor-league innings spread through four different levels. Maybe hes not quite ready for the closers role, but he has the power repertoire to handle the job soon. Summing up the deal, it appears favourable for the Blue Jays because they got the safer, more established player to fill a position of need but, just as importantly, that player comes with a reasonable contract, which makes it easier to sacrifice a prospect and all the hope and uncertainty that comes when prospects are involved. . Danny Boyle, the artistic director for the games July 27 opening ceremony, on Tuesday unveiled a model of the set, which will transform the Olympic Stadium in gritty, urban east London into a rural idyll. . The new regulation, the second of its kind this month, was issued by the general offices of the State Council and the CPC Central Committee as CPCs latest drive to fight corruption. . Canadian head coach Melody Davidson hopes people see that when Canada and defending champion U.S. meet for gold at the womens world hockey championship Sunday (TSN, noon ET). . The person told The Associated Press about the trade on condition of anonymity Wednesday because it has not been announced pending the completion of some routine logistical matters. The deal also sends guard Jerome Dyson and retiring centre Brad Millers $5.1 million contract from New Orleans to Minnesota, allowing the Timberwolves to clear space under the NBAs salary cap as they pursue free agents. . Hockey Canada says the tournament made a profit of at least $22 million, which will go into hockey programs and facilities. The Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance assessed the economic impact of the tournament at $86.New York, NY (Sports Network) - Alabama has moved past Southern California for the top spot in the latest Associated Press college football poll. The Crimson Tide were second in the preseason rankings, not far behind USC, and Saturdays season-opening results were apparently enough to sway some voters. Alabama thumped a then-No. 8 Michigan, 41-14, in Arlington, while Southern California notched a 49-10 home win over Hawaii. The defending national champion Tide received 45 first-place votes, 28 more than the preseason poll, and a total of 1,481 points from a nationwide media panel. The Trojans earned 11 No. 1 votes, 14 fewer than the initial poll, and 1,435 points. LSU maintained its spot at No. 3 with four first-place votes. Oregon and Oklahoma swwapped places to complete this weeks top five. . Florida State, Georgia, Arkansas, West Virginia and South Carolina round out the top 10. Arkansas and West Virginia each moved up two places. The Mountaineers are tied with South Carolina for ninth. The second 10 consists of Michigan State, Clemson, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma State, Michigan and TCU. Michigan had the biggest drop within the poll, falling 11 spots from eighth. Kansas State, Notre Dame, Louisville, Florida and Stanford are the last five teams ranked. Notre Dame is the lone newcomer after its 50-10 pasting of Navy in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Boise State was No. 24 and dropped out after its 17-13 loss at Michigan State. ' ' '