Rangers prepared for Barajas' leaving  —  The Rangers have not been officially informed that catcher Rod Barajas is close to signing a two-year deal with the Blue Jays.  But it has no effect on their plans for the 2007 season.  —  The Rangers have committed to giving Gerald Laird the starting job …

BoSox hammering out deal for Drew  —  The Boston Red Sox are closing on a deal for free-agent outfielder J.D. Drew, SI.com has learned.  —  Drew became an instant hit on the free-agent market after stirring controversy in Los Angeles by opting out of the $33 million and three years remaining …

Giants close in on Roberts and talk to Zaun  —  The Giants could be ready to announce the signing of speedy center fielder Dave Roberts on Monday, with infielder Rich Aurilia not too far behind.  —  Meanwhile, switch-hitting veteran Gregg Zaun is among the catchers who have drawn the Giants' interest.

Hall vote becomes Rx for steroids era  —  Seventeen months before history officially drags the National Baseball Hall of Fame into the steroid quagmire this week, Hall of Famers and the voters who put them in Cooperstown knew a reckoning was on the horizon.  —  Back in 2005, during …

Toughest save  —  Grief-stricken Reardon tries to pull himself together  —  PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Jeff Reardon plunged into darkness after his 20-year-old son died of an accidental drug overdose in February 2004.  His mind tormented with pain, guilt, and suicidal thoughts …

Financially, not a big hit  —  Why Sox can afford to go after Matsuzaka  —  There have been wide-ranging opinions on the enormous $51.1 million posting fee the Red Sox paid for Daisuke Matsuzaka's negotiating rights, all the way from Blue Jays CEO Paul Godfrey calling it "ridiculous" …

The gobble gang  —  Time to carve up this year's batch of major-league turkeys  —  Just when you think you've had enough holiday turkey, here comes a second helping.  Our annual Daily News top 10 baseball turkeys, completely basted.  —  1. CARL PAVANO  —  The missing-in-action $40 …

`Average' not so bad if stats tell the truth  —  GMs on lookout for middle-caliber talent, which might be a lot better than you think  —  For general managers scratching out their 2007 shopping lists, discussing players in terms of "best" this and "outstanding" that is well and good—but too limiting.

Inflated market could benefit Pirates  —  Team feels wildness of free agency will enhance value of trade pieces  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  As Major League Baseball's outrageous offseason of spending hits fresh peaks almost daily, the Pirates — silent as can be — appear to be no more than an afterthought.

Lively market keeps Hot Stove churning  —  Soriano, Lee signings kick off busy winter of transactions  —  It has been less than a month since the World Series ended, but already, many of the top free agents have signed 2007 contracts as a Hot Stove season supposedly thin on top talent …

Why Morneau, not Jeter, deserved MVP  —  ON THE BEAT JOE CHRISTENSEN  —  I am brainless.  I have no clue.  I attend about 150 major league games per year but never watch a pitch.  I have clubhouse access four hours per day, but I'm too busy twiddling my thumbs to glean any insight from the players and coaches.

To be champs again, Cardinals must improve  —  The St. Louis Cardinals will forever have cherished memories of their 2006 championship run, and nothing that happens in the future can change that.  —  However, if they're going to defend said championship in 2007, then they've got a great deal of work to do this winter.

Outfield upgrade  —  White Sox need help in left, center after unproductive '06  —  When the Detroit Tigers added Gary Sheffield, giving the defending American League pennant winners a 3-4-5 lineup of Ivan Rodriguez, Sheffield and Magglio Ordonez, White Sox general manager Ken Williams shrugged off this seeming improvement.