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TORONTO -- There are no denials of interest, but Toronto FC continues to stay mum on the topic of Uruguayan World Cup star Diego Forlan. "We dont really have a lot to say about it," Toronto president Kevin Payne said Thursday, citing Forlan being under contract to Brazils Internacional. Pressed further, Payne acknowledged his MLS club could make an offer for a player under contract. He just didnt want to talk about such. "Look I dont think its a good policy to talk about deals that are in progress," he told reporters after practice. "It cant do anything to help the deal. And it also can make you look pretty dumb if the deal doesnt happen. "We dont talk about offers weve made and we definitely dont talk publicly about players who are under contract to another team. To me, its a form of tampering. And even though its done frequently in the rest of the world, I dont think its appropriate." In the past, Payne has talked about signing players who are "appreciating assets," referring to young talent on the rise. Forlan is 34. And while still vibrant, his future seems limited. But Payne says the TFC roster needs seasoned veterans. "Its pretty clear from watching this group, weve got a lot of good young talent on our team. But we need some players whove been through some wars, players whove won things, and players who understand what it takes to win, to lead those young players." Signing a world star would seem to fit in with the approach of Tim Leiweke, the new CEO and president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment which owns the MLS team. The Los Angeles Galaxy snagged David Beckham on his watch. On Wednesday, manager Ryan Nelsen suggested that the foundation of the team needed to be sorted before it would make sense bringing in such a marquee name. Payne agreed. But he said the team has the beginnings of "a very good foundation." And he suggested that there are times when you just have to take the bull by the horns. "Sometimes opportunities come along, you cant always time everything exactly the way youd like," he said. "So there are times when certain situations arise that you have to try to take advantage of. And it may not fit perfectly into your timetable." Toronto is looking to add attacking quality in the current transfer window. "Wed like to add an established player and a young player," said Payne. "Probably in the goal-scoring positions. But we also will be looking to add at least one additional midfielder, probably a wide player who can assist us in the attack not necessarily be relied on for goals but more a guy that can create goals." The team is also looking at a "younger, wide defender." Paynes bid to turn the team around has not been helped by inheriting a salary cap scenario that he termed "disastrous." He says he took over a team with 16 or 17 guaranteed contracts. "It was in a really, really tough state," he added. "Some of the moves that weve made over time, under ordinary circumstances they might not have been the moves we would have made. But to some extent we were forced into doing certain things to give ourselves a chance to acquire flexibility. Because we didnt have any. "We were significantly over the (US$2.95 million) cap and significantly under the number of players on our roster when I got here," he said. "Basically the house was on fire and we had to figure out some ways to try to put the fire out, at least short-term." The team is still struggling with some big salaries. Veteran defender Danny Califf, currently back home with his family, has a salary listed at $165,000. Backup goalie Stefan Frei makes $200,000. Add in fullbacks Darren ODea ($456,250) and Richard Eckersley ($310,000) and TFC has used up more than a third of its salary cap. Those salaries could be even higher if Toronto has used allocation money to pay down the amount to the listed wages. Depending on what it does in the summer transfer window, the team could go into next year season with just four or five guaranteed contracts. That would then allow the front office to sign its own preferred core of players, shedding the rest. Payne, meanwhile, says the playoffs are a longshot but still possible this season. Toronto has yet to experience the post-season, missing out the last six seasons. And with a record of 2-8-7, the struggling club is currently 13 points out of the fifth and last playoff spot in the East. Payne says the team has dug itself a deep hole but can pick up points with a good winning streak, especially against Eastern Conference opposition. "We get to play a lot of six-point games," he said. "Were confident that if we can get the right pieces on the field that we can still make a run at the playoffs, we want to be in the conversation in the fall." Toronto plays at Sporting Kansas City on Saturday and Chivas USA next Wednesday before returning home to host the New York Bulls on July 20. Detroit Tigers Store . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Wholesale Tigers Jerseys . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. https://www.cheaptigers.com/ . Olli Jokinen, Mark Scheifele, and Bryan Little each had a goal and an assist as Winnipeg won 5-2, handing Calgary its record-setting seventh consecutive loss on home ice. Tigers Jerseys 2020 . Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they looked comfortable. Stitched Tigers Jerseys . Parker had 26 points and eight assists and San Antonio beat Toronto 112-99 Monday night. "We won that game because of Tony Parkers aggressiveness," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His juice; his aggression all night long. England knew what they were getting when they plumped for Gareth Batty for the tour of Bangladesh and, latterly, India. They got themselves a straight-talking, wise old hand, and a natural leader of their callow spin attack. Moeen Ali has played much more, and Adil Rashid has played much more recently, but neither has Battys presence or streetsmarts.That Englands spin cupboard is bare is beyond doubt. As Paul Farbrace said before flying home after the ODI series: We are still improving there. We all know there is not massive depth - to be honest there seven or eight guys in the frame in England and five of them are on this trip. The others are Liam Dawson, who did not play in the ODIs, Zafar Ansari, a member of the Test squad, as well as Jack Leach and Ollie Rayner, who came closest to making the squad. The riches are hardly embarrassing.Even if he does not pull up trees, Batty was a shrewd pick, for he works with Ansari at Surrey and used to play for Worcestershire with Moeen, who said this week: I know him well. I learned quite a bit from him - hes a very good spinner.There is no spin-bowling coach on tour, until Saqlain Mushtaq joins up with the squad in India, so Battys experience - his first tour with England was to Bangladesh, 13 years ago - will be vital. His constant chatter with Rashid about how to go about their business was a noticeable aspect of Englands first full training session, which happened in lieu of a washed-out practice match. They will play a 45-over game against a BCB XI on Saturday, then a two-day game on Sunday and Monday.It is likely that Batty will join Moeen and Rashid in the XI for Thursdays first Test in Chittagong, where it is expected to turn. England may revert to two spinners for Dhaka, but the side is far from decided, with places up for grabs opening, in the middle order and among the bowlers. All of the 16 players on tour - three of whom are uncapped - could play. Batty is approaching the task at hand with characteristic relish.Its a positive [that spin plays a big role here], he said. In England its more seam-orientated, so its actually really nice that spin could play a part. We wont know until we see the surfaces, but its a challenge and a real good thing for spinners to be able to ssay hang on a minute, we can help to win games of cricket for England.ddddddddddddAfter a difficult end to the domestic season, Rashid is enjoying a very fine tour, having taken 10 wickets in the ODIs, which equals the most by a spinner in a three-match series ever, while also going at five runs an over. Rashid, like many of the squad, has a spring in his step and Batty believes the success of the ODI side can rub off on the Test squad. Winnings a habit, its a culture, he said spikily.England have played 142 Tests since Batty last made an appearance, against Bangladesh at Chester-le-Street in 2005, before Kevin Pietersen even debuted. Since, England have gone through 10 frontline spinners before plumping for Batty again, and while he did not expect his recall, he is relishing it, and believes he is a better bowler now than he was 11 years ago.This is brilliant to be a part of, he said. Theres a wonderful vibe about the place, I noticed that from stepping on the plane with a few of the Test boys, theres a great camaraderie around the group. Its a great privilege to be involved with England, and hopefully I can add to that and do my bit.The proof will be in the pudding, if Im fortunate enough to get a go, but on a daily basis for the last few years I have known what I have to do and gone about my business as I would require - I feel a better bowler, yeah.Does Batty have nothing to lose? A little bit. Its a nice opportunity when youre nearing the end of your career to be able to say Ive managed to progress and will hopefully keep progressing throughout my career. We will see where we get.Whether he is selected or not, two things are for certain: Batty will remain fiercely his own man and, secondly, he firmly believes age is just a number, and is unfazed by playing with Haseeb Hameed who, at 20 years his junior, is less than half his age.Thats the norm! he said. There are a few boys at Surrey who are even younger than that. Id like to think everybody takes the age out of it. They see the wrinkles in the morning and think hes an old sod, but for the rest of the time hopefully Im just one of the boys. ' ' '