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VANCOUVER -- Mason Raymond and the Vancouver Canucks achieved contract harmony while avoiding a potentially acrimonious salary-arbitration hearing Monday. The left winger agreed to a pay cut as he signed a one-year, US$2.275-million deal. The signing came after the Canucks made the rare move of filing for arbitration against Raymond in a bid to reduce his salary. In most cases, arbitration results after players file the necessary papers in a bid for a raise. Hearings are known for leaving players bitter towards clubs after management makes extremely negative comments about performance and production. Raymond became a restricted free agent July 1 before the Canucks filed for arbitration to secure exclusive negotiating rights and effectively keep him in the organization for at least one more season. He was due to have his arbitration case scheduled Monday afternoon for some time between July 20 to Aug. 5 in Toronto. "We would not have undertaken the measure to invoke salary arbitration unless we felt that (Raymond) was a significant proponent of our team," said Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gilman. "The fact is, we invoked salary arbitration in this instance to maximize the efficiency of our salary cap. To that end, we were able to get a contract for Mason that worked in our cap plan, but avoided the steps of having to go through the hearing. "Were happy about the contract, and were happy that the player didnt have to go through this process." Raymond, 26, made $2.6 million last season, collecting 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 55 regular-season games while recovering from a career-threatening back injury suffered in the 2010-11 Stanley Cup final against Boston. He added an assist in five post-season games. The Canucks invoked a provision of the NHLs collective bargaining agreement last month to seek to cut Raymonds salary by as much as 15 per cent via arbitration. Gilman said the Canucks hope to see Raymond return to the form he displayed two seasons ago, when he scored 25 goals and added 28 assists in the 2009-10 season. "Weve been in contact with Mason over the summer," Gilman said. "We know hes working exceptionally hard. Hes extremely motivated, and we fully anticipate that hes going to come back to us and hes going to have a far more productive season than hes had in the last two." Gilman added the injury clearly impacted Raymonds performance, because he was unable to train for most of the summer of 2011 and it took him time to get mobile again and "get his bearings as a player." But the speedsters skating was as fluid as ever by seasons end. The assistant GM attributed Raymonds reduced production to an "off" year. Raymonds agent J.P. Barry said the Cochrane, Alta., native has made a determined effort to recover from broken vertebrae suffered when he was checked backwards into the boards by Bostons Johnny Boychuk in the sixth game of the 2010-11 final. Raymond was not able to return to Vancouvers lineup until December. "Last season was difficult for Mason," said Barry in an e-mail to The Canadian Press. "The injury he came back from was a very serious one and he worked extremely hard to get back playing even earlier than everyone expected. "It is never easy for any player to step in mid-season and make an impact let alone step in following a significant injury. Mason is looking forward to next season, and I fully expect you will see a reinvigorated and motivated player." Raymond has registered 156 career points (70 goals, 86 assists) in 328 games with the Canucks. He also represented Canada at the 2010 World Championships. The six-foot, 185-pound forward was originally drafted by Vancouver in the second round (51st overall) of the 2005 NHL draft. Wholesale Jerseys Cheap . Coach Erik Spoelstra announced before the game that Wade remained at the hotel. The team is beginning a six-game road trip and doesnt want him spreading his cold to the rest of the team. Wholesale Jerseys Supply .C. -- Ernie Els returns to Kiawah Island for the PGA Championship as a major champion, the same status he carried the last time he was there. http://www.wholesalechinajerseysmall.com/ .Y. - The Jets special teams coach says he plans to use Tim Tebow.Through the first half of the 2012 Major League Baseball season, there have been surprises, disappointments and award-winning performances. Scott Cullen breaks down the major leagues at the midway point. Its no surprise that the New York Yankees have the best record in baseball -- theyre the Yankees, after all -- but getting such quality starting performances from Andy Pettitte (coming out of retirement) and Phil Hughes (back from a rough 2011 campaign) sure helped the cause. What also counts as surprising is that the team sitting in second place in the American League East, behind the Yankees, is the Baltimore Orioles. Though the Orioles have the third-worst run differential in the AL, theyve managed to go 45-40, somehow sitting second in a division that doesnt have a single team under .500 at the break. In the American League Central, the surprise starts right at the top. The Chicago White Sox had no expectations coming into the year, with Vegas setting their win total at 74.5 (I was under), but the resurrection of Adam Dunn and Jake Peavy, combined with the emergence of Chris Sale (who was removed from the rotation ever-so-briefly) suddenly has the White Sox ahead of Cleveland and a slightly disappointing crew in Detroit. Texas and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are waging an expected battle for supremacy in the American League West, which has overshadowed an impressive first half by the Oakland As. Theyre 42-42 for an even .500 record, but the As have exceeded expectations. In the National League the dominance of the Philadelphia Phillies is coming to an abrupt end. Injuries to Ryan Howard and Chase Utley were expected to hinder the offence, but losing starting pitcher Roy Halladay to injury and Cliff Lees ongoing battle to win a game (last yeas 17-game winner has one win in 14 starts this year) has the Phillies looking up at the rest of the National League East. At the top of the NL East, the Washington Nationals have an okay lineup, bolstered when they called up Bryce Harper, but their pitching has been spectacular. Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Edwin Jackson give the Nats a shot to win night after night. While the Nationals emergence may not come as an outright shock (I did have them in the preseason Top 10 of the MLB Power Rankings), the same can not be said for the Pittsburgh Pirates, whose preseason win total over/under was 70. The batting order has been adequate, carried for the last couple months by MVP candidate Andrew McCutchen, but its been pitching that has kept the Pirates competitive. James McDonald and resurgent A.J. Burnett have anchored a surprisingly effective staff. Their lead in the National League West has dwindled to a half-game over the San Francisco Giants, but its an accomplishment for the Dodgers to even be there considering that theyve had Matt Kemp for 36 of 87 games. Here is my look at some individual awards, including Gold Gloves, All-Surprise and All-Disappointing teams for the first half of the 2012 season. AL MVPRobinson Cano, 2B, N.Y. Yankees (20 HR, 51 RBI, .313 AVG, .953 OPS) Runners Up:Josh Hamilton, CF, Texas (27 HR, 75 RBI, .308 AVG, 1.016 OPS)Mike Trout, CF, L.A. Angels (12 HR, 40 RBI, 26 SB, .341 AVG, .959 OPS) This race is open for business and could very well be taken by Trout if he continues his exceptional all-around play. Cano holds a slight edge over Hamilton right now, due to defence, but both are playing at the standard required for an MVP award. NL MVPJoey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati (14 HR, 48 RBI, .348 AVG, 1.087 OPS) Runners-Up:David Wright, 3B, N.Y. Mets (11 HR, 59 RBI, .351 AVG, 1.004 OPS)Andrew McCutchen, CF, Pittsburgh (18 HR, 60 RBI, 14 SB, .362 AVG, 1.039 OPS) Votto and Wright have been getting on base like no one else (and Votto is .030 ahead of Wright) with Vottos offensive dominance so impressive that it offsets his defensive contribution at first base. McCutchen has been spectacular since the beginning of May and is mounting a charge, not unlike Trouts emergence in the American League. If Pittsburgh keeps winning, that will shine a spotlight on McCutchen that is atypical for anyone on the Pirates. AL CY YOUNGJustin Verlander, Detroit (9-5, 2.58 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 128 K, 132 2/3 IP) Runners Up: Jered Weaver, L.A. Angels of Anaheim (10-1, 1.96 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 73 K, 96 2/3IP)Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox (10-2, 2.19, 0.96 WHIP, 98 K, 102 2/3 IP) Missing a couple starts due to injury could be the only thing holding Weaver back from Verlander and Chris Sale edges his teammate, Jake Peavy, as well as C.J. Wilson for inclusion among the runners-up. NL CY YOUNGR.A. Dickey, N.Y. Mets (12-1, 2.40 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 123 K, 120 IP) Runners-Up: Gio Gonzalez, Washington (12-3, 2.92 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 118 K, 101 2/3 IP)Zack Greinke, Milwaukee (9-3, 3.32 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 111 K, 111 IP) Dickeys season has been freakish for anyone, let alone a 37-year-old knuckleballer who had 106 career starts entering this season. Stephen Strasburg and James McDonald are both viable candidates for runner-up spots, but Gonzalez and Greinke have been ever-so-slightly more productive. AL ROOKIE OF THE YEARMike Trout, CF, L.A. Angels (12 HR, 40 RBI, 26 SB, .341 AVG, .959 OPS) Runners Up:Yu Darvish, RHP, Texas (10-5, 3.59 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 117 K, 102 2/3 IP)Jarrod Parker, RHP, Oakland (5-4, 2.86 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 67 K, 85 IP) Since Trout it pushing for MVP honours, he should be a lock for Rookie of the Year. Both Darvish and Parker have been good, but good wont be nearly enough. NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Lance Lynn, RHP, St. Louis (11-4, 3.41 ERA, 1.dddddddddddd3 WHIP, 105 K, 103 IP) Runners-Up:Bryce Harper, CF, Washington (8 HR, 25 RBI, .285 AVG, .826 OPS)Norichika Aoki, RF, Milwaukee (5 HR, 20 RBI, 11 SB, .301 AVG, .818 OPS) Trouts phenom counterpart in the National League, Bryce Harper, is most likely to ultimately win the race, but hes still playing a little bit of catch-up against Cardinals starter Lance Lynn, who has started to come back to earth after dominating early. Aoki along with Reds infielders Zack Cozart and Todd Frazier are in the running as well. GOLD GLOVESC - Yadier Molina, St. LouisRunners-Up: Miguel Montero, Arizona; Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia Montero guns out baserunners like no others (46.9%) and Ruiz has handled more total chances than any other backstop, but Molina remains the best all-around defender at the position. There really should be room to inject Matt Wieters, best in the AL, into this discussion too. 1B - Adrian Gonzalez, BostonRunners-Up: Albert Pujols, L.A. Angels of Anaheim; Mark Teixeira, N.Y. Yankees It hasnt been the kind of offensive season hed been expecting, but Adrian Gonzalez is doing his work with the glove, leading first basemen in Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating/150 (www.fangraphs.com). Pujols, Teixeira, Joey Votto and Casey Kotchman are all worthy of consideration as well. 2B - Brandon Phillips, CincinnatiRunners-Up: Dustin Pedroia, Boston; Jason Kipnis, Cleveland With far-and-away the best Ultimate Zone Rating at the position, Phillips stands out enough to hold an edge on Kipnis, Pedroia, Darwin Barney and Robinson Cano. Pedroia and Barney have each made one error thus far, while Kipnis leads second basemen in assists. 3B - Brett Lawrie, TorontoRunners-Up: Mike Moustakas, Kansas City; Chase Headley, San Diego Miles ahead of the rest at the hot corner when it comes to Defensive Runs Saved, Lawrie makes more errors than many, but gets to more balls than any other third basemen. Moustakas and Headley are also up-and-comers, getting a slight nod at this point over perennial contender Adrian Beltre. SS - Brendan Ryan, SeattleRunners-Up: Yunel Escobar, Toronto; J.J. Hardy, Baltimore The exact same trio as the first quarter, holding off challenges from Starlin Castro and Mike Aviles. LF - Alex Gordon, Kansas CityRunners-Up: Josh Willingham, Minnesota; Martin Prado, Atlanta Advanced metrics for outfielders can be iffy due to small sample sizes, so the inclusion of someone like Willingham comes as a surprise, but Alex Gordon is clearly the best at the position, using any number of measures (Defensive Runs Saved, Ultimate Zone Rating/150, Total Chances). CF - Mike Trout, L.A. Angels of AnaheimRunners-Up: Austin Jackson, Detroit; Michael Bourn, Atlanta Even though he got a late start, Trout is already an all-around force, including in the field, where he effectively supplanted one of the best glove men in the game, Peter Bourjos. Denard Span and Adam Jones are possibilities and Jon Jay has been solid when healthy. RF - Ichiro Suzuki, SeattleRunners-Up: Josh Reddick, Oakland; Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reddick hasnt just been a revelation as an offensive threat, he has been a terrific defensive right fielder, surpassed only by Ichiro. Jason Heyward, Torii Hunter, Giancarlo Stanton and Brian Bogusevic have all been very good. (I realize there are Gold Gloves awarded in both leagues.  Im just trying to recognize the best fielders at each position.) ALL-SURPRISE TEAMC - Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia (13 Hr, 46 RBI, .350 AVG, .995 OPS)1B - Bryan LaHair, Chicago Cubs (14 HR, 30 RBI, .286 AVG, .883 OPS)2B - Aaron Hill, Arizona (11 HR, 40 RBI, .300 AVG, .860 OPS)SS - Jed Lowrie, Houston (14 HR, 36 RBI, .254 AVG, .803 OPS)3B - Kyle Seager, Seattle (10 HR, 52 RBI, .243 AVG, .726 OPS)LF - Josh Willingham, Minnesota (19 HR, 60 RBI, .261 AVG, .913 OPS)CF - Colby Rasmus, Toronto (17 HR, 53 RBI, .259 AVG, .821 OPS)RF - Josh Reddick, Oakland (20 HR, 43 RBI, .268 AVG, .880 OPS)SP - James McDonald, Pittsburgh (9-3, 2.37 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 100 K, 110 IP)SP - R.A. Dickey, N.Y. Mets (12-1, 2.40 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 123 K, 120 IP)SP - Chris Capuano, Los Angeles (9-4, 2.91 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 100 K, 111 1/3IP)SP - Edinson Volquez, San Diego (5-7, 3.52 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 98 K, 107 1/3 IP)SP - Jason Hammel, Baltimore (8-5, 3.47 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 101 K, 106 1/3 IP)RP - Fernando Rodney, Tampa Bay (2-1, 25 SV, 0.93 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 38 K, 38 2/3 IP) ALL-DISAPPOINTING TEAMC - Alex Avila, Detroit (5 HR, 23 RBI, .242 AVG, .721 OPS)1B - Gaby Sanchez, Miami (3 HR, 17 RBI, .202 AVG, .556 OPS)2B - Jemile Weeks, Oakland (2 HR, 13 RBI, 12 SB, .222 AVG, .620 OPS)SS - Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox (2 HR, 44 RBI, .266 AVG, .628 OPS)3B - Mark Reynolds, Baltimore (7 HR, 23 RBI, .207 AVG, .718 OPS)LF - Eric Thames, Toronto (3 HR,. 11 RBI, .243 AVG, .652 OPS)CF - Cameron Maybin, San Diego (4 HR, 24 RBI, 16 SB, .212 AVG, .596 OPS)RF - Jeff Francoeur, Kansas City (7 HR, 25 RBI, .251 AVG, .667 OPS)SP - Ricky Romero, Toronto (8-4, 5.22 ERA, 1.47 WHIP)SP - Daniel Hudson, Arizona (3-2, 7.35 ERA, 1.63 WHIP)SP - Tim Lincecum, San Francisco (3-10, 6.42 ERA, 1.58 WHIP)SP - Jhoulys Chacin, Colorado (0-3, 7.30 ERA, 1.86 WHIP)RP - Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs (1-2, 8 SV, 5.61 ERA, 1.87 WHIP) Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. 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