Reliever Dan Naulty from 1999 World Series team spills ugly truth on steroids  —  Yankees closer Mariano Rivera got Atlanta Braves designated hitter Keith Lockhart to pop up to left field for the final out of the 1999 World Series - Oct. 27 - giving the Bombers a four-game sweep of the Braves …

Clemens ‘almost numb’ to steroid accusations  —  Clemens Defends Himself Against Steroid Allegations  —  In a video posted on his official Web site, Roger Clemens said that he has become “almost numb” to the steroid accusations against him in the Mitchell report and that he has granted …

Phils sign Taguchi to one-year deal  —  Outfielder gets $1 million contract, with option for 2009  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies completed some last-minute holiday shopping Sunday, signing outfielder So Taguchi to a one-year contract with an option for 2009.

Met fans' winter of discontent  —  People in the Mets' organization complain privately at times about the attention the Yankees get, but this is a winter in which they should be eternally grateful for the camouflage provided by the team in the Bronx.  Without it, they'd be feeling a lot more heat from their hot-stove doings.

White Sox's spin: Small pieces, big impact  —  GM: Key positions covered even with no marquee signing  —  This being the season of good cheer and good will toward men, White Sox general manager Ken Williams is trying to put a positive spin on his off-season shopping, which has produced …

Perry cuts to the chase  —  Today's ‘cheaters’ will pass Hall test  —  Everyone always suspected Gaylord Perry threw a spitter or a greaser, or cut the ball.  He was a master at it.  He was the safecracker.  He perfected what so many others in his generation tried but couldn't pull off nearly as well.

Hot Stove: Payroll disparity a Central issue  —  Maybe the Pirates' fate in 2008 might be different if, a couple days from now, a gift card in the amount of, oh, $50 million were to show up under their tree.  —  As it is ...  The $50 million or so that they do plan to spend next season …

Time to tear down Wrigley  —  Here's a solution to the latest Wrigley Field crisis: Save the name, dump the dump.  —  Yes, I'm playing demolition derby again because the crusty, creaky old joint doesn't need to be renovated or renamed.  —  It needs to be replaced.

Rangers Top 11 Prospects  —  Four-Star Prospects  —  Three-Star Prospects  —  Just Missing: Kasey Kiker, LHP; David Murphy, OF; Neil Ramirez, RHP  —  1. Neftali Perez, RHP  —  Acquired: NDFA, 2005, Dominican Republic (Braves)  —  2007 Stats: 1.98 ERA at Rookie-level (27.1-18-12-28); 3.60 ERA at Short-season (15-13-12-27)

No bluffing on this deal  —  Sox may need to up Ramirez ante … Every offseason presents a whole new set of storylines.  But next year's might be Oscar worthy.  —  For the Red Sox [team stats], there is the impending free agency of catcher Jason Varitek [stats] and the task of replacing starter Curt Schilling [stats].