Mets add to bullpen with Wise  —  The Mets added to their bullpen by signing righthander Matt Wise to a one-year, $1.2 million contract on Tuesday.  (AP File Photo)  —  The Mets, in an effort to add depth to their beleaguered bullpen, signed free-agent righthander Matt Wise to a one-year, $1.2-million contract yesterday.

‘Juiced’ Ghostwriter: I Told You So  —  Whatever else its eventual impact, the Mitchell report last week immediately recasts the importance of the small library of books documenting — and in some cases, shaping — baseball's steroid era.  —  In fact, given its timing and high profile …

Padres would be logical choice for Prior  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Logic dictates that the Padres are Mark Prior's first choice.  Not only is he from San Diego, but he also might thrive by staying in the National League and pitching at spacious Petco Park.

Charley Walters: Boston Red Sox still in lead for Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana  —  The Boston Red Sox remain the favorite to acquire Johan Santana from the Twins, insiders say.  —  Boston remains firm, though, as initially reported by the Pioneer Press, in offering just Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson.

Does reliever over-use lead to poor subsequent performance?  —  In a Nov. 30 article in the Philadelphia Daily News by Paul Hagen, Braves senior advisor and former big-league manager Jim Fregosi had this to say about relievers who have a good year followed by a bad year or vice versa:

Pirates Notebook: Dotel, Chacon on relief radar  —  But team wary of committing too much for bullpen help  —  Octavio Dotel is out there, as is old acquaintance Shawn Chacon.  —  And the Pirates have spoken with the representatives for each of those free-agent relievers.  —  Sounds like a match, right?

Rose on Mitchell Report: Steroids users “making a mockery” of baseball  —  NEW YORK (AP) -Pete Rose thinks players who use steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs are “making a mockery” of baseball.  —  The career hits leader, banned by the sport for gambling, weighed in on the Mitchell Report …

Cardinals sign infielder Jimenez  —  Hoping to discover quality among quantity, the Cardinals agreed to terms with former Cincinnati Reds starting shortstop D'Angelo Jimenez on a minor-league contract Tuesday.  —  Jimenez, who turns 30 on Friday, becomes another candidate in the Cardinals' search …

Teixeira undergoes left knee surgery  —  Braves first baseman expected to be ready for Spring Training  —  ATLANTA — Wanting to be at full strength as he prepares for his final audition before possibly hitting the free-agent market, Mark Teixeira opted to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery.

Plans for Miranda and expecations for relievers  —  Caught up with farm director Mark Newman this afternoon.  We didn't talk long and we didn't talk about anything earth shattering, but it's interesting stuff just the same.  Among the topics: The first base situation in Triple-A …

Marlins inching closer toward stadium  —  County commission votes to allocate $50 million to project  —  MIAMI — They haven't yet crossed home plate, but the Marlins' push to secure the final pieces of stadium funding moved firmly into scoring position on Tuesday as a result of two votes …

Under Review: The Mike Hampton Trade  —  Today, the Mets are thinking hard about how much a 28-year-old left-handed starter coming off a 130 ERA+ season is worth: four prospects?  Five?  Six?  Martinez and Gomez?  In the 1999 offseason, a world where Y2K was so prevalent that Bobby Hill …

‘Mad’ Mariano attempting to squeeze option year as Yankee deal nears  —  Mariano Rivera eventually may accept the three-year, $45 million deal the Yankees have offered him, but the closer isn't quite ready to do so just yet.  —  It appears as though Rivera has given up on the idea of getting …