KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The World Series champion Royals are stuck in no-mans land, close enough to contention to keep fighting yet far enough behind the race that going all-in at the trade deadline would be a fools gambit.The Royals entered the All-Star break at 45-43, seven games out of first place in the AL Central. They are also on the outside for the final wild-card spot, leaving general manager Dayton Moore and manager Ned Yost in the unenviable position of deciding what direction they should guide the franchise.It hasnt been early for a while, Yost said, dismissing the overused cliche of its still early.But again, you have to stay focused on today, he said. You have to forget about yesterday. Thats the hard part about this game. But weve been doing it for so long, thats how we approach it.The Royals season so far has been one of wild mood swings, soaring through a five-game win streak, then scuffling through eight straight losses, only to reel off five more wins in quick succession.The net result is their current position, stuck squarely between contender and pretender, unsure whether to unload players in the jumpstart of a rebuild or acquire the few pieces lacking from a title team.Things were much more defined a year ago.Kansas City was rolling through the hot summer months to a comfortable lead in the division, and it was apparent by mid-July that a postseason run was approaching. Moore began dealing away coveted prospects to get pitcher Johnny Cueto, second baseman Ben Zobrist and other pieces to round out his team.Both those guys were crucial to Kansas City beating the New York Mets to win the World Series.The Royals certainly have places that need shoring up, starting with a pitching rotation that has already seen Chris Young shuttled off to the bullpen. The Royals likely need at least one front-of-the-rotation starter if they plan to contend, even though Yost is confident there are sufficient in-house candidates.Injuries have also left Kansas City depleted across the lineup.Left fielder Alex Gordon missed a big chunk of the season with a wrist injury and has struggled since his return. Third baseman Mike Moustakas is done for the season with an ACL injury. Center fielder Lorenzo Cain is also on the disabled list after straining his hamstring trying to leg out a single.Finding someone who could play multiple positions -- Zobrist, anyone? -- would be ideal.Then again, the Royals have so far cobbled together a lineup with young call-ups such as Whit Merrifield and Brett Eibner that has allowed them to hang around. Merrifield was hitting over .300 for much of the season while Eibner has flashed some of the power that Kansas City has lacked for years.I wouldnt say theres urgency, said Merrifield, whose fine play at second base allowed the Royals to jettison underperforming veteran Omar Infante. Theres a lot of baseball left. A lot of stuff can happen between now and September and October. A lot of games to be played, a lot of ups and downs.The second half begins with three games in Detroit, then comes a crucial nine-game homestand against the Indians, Rangers and Angels that will ultimately decide whether the Royals will contend in August.If they go into another prolonged slump, the Royals could begin to replenish their depleted farm system -- especially with pitching prospects -- with an eye toward contending in a couple more years.Not that the Royals are thinking that way, even if the front office must consider it. They firmly believe they have the talent to reach the playoffs for a third straight year, or even make it to the World Series for a third straight year, and that one big run is enough for them to climb back into the race.Time is running out to put that run together. Manu Ginobili Jersey .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. Danny Green Jersey . JOHNS, N. http://www.cheapspursjerseys.us/?tag=pau-gasol-jersey . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. Wholesale San Antonio Spurs Jerseys . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. Tim Duncan Jersey . Soukalova missed only one target and completed the 15-kilometre course in 40 minutes, 32.6 seconds for both victories in this seasons individual discipline. Darya Domracheva of Belarus was second, 34.Rafael Nadal admits he needs to work at his game even more after another frustrating defeat at the Rio Open. The world No 5 was beaten 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 by Uruguays Pablo Cuevas in the semi-finals of the clay court tournament in Brazil.This latest setback for Nadal came just a week after he lost in the semi-final of the Argentina Open to Dominic Thiem, again on his preferred clay surface. Cowan: Rafa must win in Rio Rafael Nadal is facing a must-win tournament in Rio, says Barry Cowan I lost an opportunity, thats it, said Nadal, who will turn his attention to next months ATP Masters Series event at Indian Wells, live on Sky Sports.I fought until the end. I have to accept it and keep working to try to change the dynamic. Thats whats happening today and I have to work hard to change it.dddddddddddd I didnt win a title, so it wasnt a positive two tournaments. Rafael Nadal I didnt win a title, so it wasnt a positive two tournaments. I had my chances in both. I lost in the semi-finals of both tournaments and just have to look forward to Indian Wells.Nadals pursuit of a first ATP title in 2016 could prove a tough task on the hard courts in California as a competitive field should also include world No 1 Novak Djokovic. Also See: Nadal loses in Rio semis Cowan: Rafa must win in Rio How dominant can Djokovic be? Tennis on Sky Cheap Jerseys 2018 Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Jerseys 2019 NFL Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Jerseys From China ' ' '