导出博客文章TORONTO -- Kyle Lowry didnt hide the fact he met with contenders like the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets during the interview portion of NBA free agency, but in the end the opportunity to call the Toronto Raptors "his team" was too good to pass up. Packers Jerseys . Lowry and the Raptors officially announced a four-year US$48 million dollar deal Thursday. The deal was reported last week but couldnt be made official until Thursday, when the moratorium on signings was lifted. "They were real factors. I did my homework. I did my research," the point guard said. "I had a couple meetings with my family and we circled the pros and cons and we took teams away one by one. "Other teams had some great things and I think they had pieces that were comparable pieces, but I think the situation that Im in, the age Im (at), me being able to lead a team, to lead a team and grow as a person, that was a very big factor in it." Lowry played a large role in the Raptors ending a five-year playoff drought this past season. The 28-year-old averaged 17.9 points and 7.4 assists per game and had a player efficiency rating of 20.1, which placed him 22nd in the league and sixth among point guards. The six-foot, 205-pound Philadelphia native, made $6.2 million last season. His new deal, which carries an annual average value of $12 million puts him atop the Raptors payroll. By comparison, DeMar DeRozans deal, which is in the second of four years, pays him $9.5-million in 2014-15. "The deal was done exactly the way I wanted," said Lowry, who joined the Raptors in a 2012 trade with Houston. "You dont get many chances to say its your team, honestly. As a competitor, as a professional, I relish in that. The fact that I get to say that its my team, Im the leader of the team." Toronto finished a franchise-best 46-34 in the regular season to win the clubs second Atlantic Division before losing to Brooklyn in seven games in the first round of the playoffs. Re-signing Lowry, one of the top unrestricted point guards available, was a high priority for Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri. "It was a good feeling I had coming out of the meeting (with Kyle)," said Ujiri of negotiations. "Ive had this meeting before where its gone the other way and you come out and youre like going what just happened there? or where is this going?. "With Kyle, theres always been a great spirit and great communication so I had a sense, but with free agency you never know because it can spin in one day. Were glad he made the decision. It says so much about him and maybe even our organization." Lowrys signing is just part of what has been a busy off-season for Ujiri. Thursday afternoon the club announced it had dealt forward Steve Novak and a future second-round draft choice to the Utah Jazz for point guard Diante Garrett. The six-foot-four, 190-pound Garrett appeared in 71 games with the Jazz last season, averaging 3.5 points, 1.7 assists and 14.8 minutes. On Wednesday night reports surfaced the team has re-signed Greivis Vasquez to a two-year, $13 million contract. Vasquezs signing is in addition to reports the team has inked big man Patrick Patterson to a three-year US$18 million contract. Both deals are expected to be announced Monday. Toronto has also reportedly come to terms with 18-year-old Brazilian Bruno Cabloco, who Toronto took 20th overall at the NBA draft. The Raptors have also reportedly brought back James Johnson with a two-year deal. The forward spent part of the 2010-11 season and all of 2011-12 with Toronto. Last week, Ujiri dealt John Salmons contract along with a 2015 second-round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Lou Williams and the rights to Brazilian rookie Lucas (Bebe) Nogueira. Ujiri admitted the re-signing of Vasquez, and the acquisition of Williams, were moves to protect the long-term health of Lowry. "Hundred per cent in our game plan because hes signed here for four years," said Ujiri. "Theres going to be lots of games and we have to think about that. We have to think of his body and the load of work. Greivis will take a good load off of (Kyle) and so will Lou." As for future signings, Ujiri doesnt believe he has much left. "In terms of signings I think we only have one more spot," he said. "Were looking to bring Bebe, to sign him, were trying to figure that out and after that, we have one more spot." Lowry has confidence in his general manager. "I believe in Masai, hes going to always make the right decision," Lowry said. "No matter what he did, youve got to support it because his track record is so good." Jimmy Graham Packers Jersey . The Brewers finalized a US$36 million, three-year contract with free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez on Wednesday, adding a much-needed bat to their lineup. Jaire Alexander Packers Jersey .NYCFC confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday that this week Lampard signed a contract to start in July — midway through the new teams first season in MLS.CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona has said all season that Carlos Santana will hit. That faith is finally being rewarded. Santanas leadoff homer in the fourth inning lifted Cleveland to a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night and continued a hot June for a hitter who struggled for the first two months. "It was inevitable," Francona said. "Hes too good a hitter." The win, which was also sparked by Asdrubal Cabreras two-run homer in the first, moved the Indians (36-35) over the .500 mark. Although Santana is hitting .191 for the season, hes batting .333 (13 for 39) with three homers and nine RBIs in June. "The good thing is, its not just singles, hes going to hit home runs and get extra base hits," Francona said. "We survived to a point with him really being cold and as hes getting hot its going to help our offence." Both home runs came off Jered Weaver (7-6), who lost for the first time in 10 career starts at Progressive Field. Weaver was 6-0 and allowed 11 earned runs in 60 1-3 innings in nine starts at the Indians ballpark going into the game. The Indians managed to win despite having a thin bullpen, forcing starter Trevor Bauer (2-3) to throw 119 pitches -- a season high for Cleveland -- in 6 2-3 innings. With closer Cody Allen and setup man Bryan Shaw both unavailable after pitching the last three days, Carlos Carrasco worked 2 1-3 innings for his first career save. "Carlos pitched really well, that was a huge lift for us," Francona said. "The way he was pitching I didnt want to take him out, and there was no reason to take him out." Indians left fielder Michael Brantley left the game in the fifth for precautionary reasons after receiving a blow to the head and neck area while trying to break up a double play in the third. "He banged the side of his head on that slide," Francona said. "He passed all the concussion tests, which is good. His neck is a little stiff. Well see how he is when he comes in (Tuesday)." The Angels have lost four of five since winning five straight. Weaver allowed four runs in six innings. The right-handers 1.64 ERA going into Monday was the lowest in ballpark history with a minimum of 50 innings pitched, acccording to STATS LLC. JMon Moore Packers Jersey. . Weaver had allowed three earned runs in 43 innings over his last six starts in Cleveland before losing Monday. "I know that Ive thrown well in this park but I didnt know that it was that good," he said. "Nothing else to say, just cant stay away from the homer." Bauer, who pitched around trouble all game, allowed three runs for his first win since May 20 and wasnt bothered by his high pitch count. "I can go 130, 150 or 200," he said. "I did that in college. Im used to throwing." Carrasco, who was moved to the bullpen last month after pitching poorly as a starter, struck out Howie Kendrick to end the seventh and worked around a walk and a single in the eighth. He retired Mike Trout and Albert Pujols to start the ninth and struck out Josh Hamilton on three pitches to end the game. "I want to help the team whether its starting or in the bullpen," Carrasco said. "Right now the bullpen is where I am." Cabreras homer gave Cleveland the lead, but Chris Iannetta tied the game with a two-run double in the second. After the Indians went ahead again on Brantleys RBI single in the third, John McDonalds sacrifice fly in the fourth tied the game. Santana homered deep into the seats in right field on a 2-2 pitch. The switch-hitter is 10 for 19 with two homers lifetime against Weaver. Cabreras drive cleared the 19-foot wall in left field. Angels manager Mike Scioscia came on the field to speak with the umpires, but the call was upheld after a crew chief review. McDonald started at shortstop in place of Erick Aybar, who has a sore left hip. Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving took batting practice with the Indians and threw out the first pitch. NOTES: Aybar had a pinch-hit single in the eighth. ... Francona said RHP Zach McAllister (sore back) will start Thursday. McAllister has been on the 15-day DL since May 22. ... LHP Tyler Skaggs (strained right hamstring) will pitch a simulated game Tuesday. ... The Indians signed LHP Justus Sheffield, the 31st overall pick in the draft. Sheffield, 18, turned down an offer from Vanderbilt to sign with Cleveland. ... 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