Former Yankee Byrne dies at 87  —  ‘Wild Man’ found success despite lack of control on mound  —  NEW YORK — Tommy Byrne, a hard-throwing left-hander who pitched in four World Series and was known for struggles with his control, died on Thursday in Wake Forest, N.C. He was 87.

Deck the halls with Santana?  Not likely  —  Johan Santana is not expected to be the Yankees' big Christmas present, a source with knowledge of the situation said Friday.  —  “I don't see it happening with us,” the source said.  “We pulled out in Nashville, and we haven't put an offer back on the table.”

Clemens' denials get boost from Grimsley affidavit  —  If the original release of the infamous Jason Grimsley affidavit - with the names of the alleged steroid and amphetamine users blacked out for public nonconsumption - helped pull the cover off baseball's performance-enhancement scandal …

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.

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.

Bedard likely won't be dealt by opener  —  After listening to trade proposals for his ace for the past couple of months, Andy MacPhail says it is a “strong likelihood” that Erik Bedard will be the Orioles' Opening Day starter rather than being traded.  —  “It's up to [manager] …

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 …

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].

Holiday lull likely won't last … It has been a busy offseason for the Rays, and although activity usually dwindles during the holiday break, Tampa Bay can cross a lot off its wish list.  —  The Rays signed a closer (Troy Percival) and a left-handed bat to join the rightfield/DH platoon …

Juan Padilla eyes Mets' bullpen role  —  Juan Padilla, a righthanded reliever who has missed the last two seasons because of two elbow surgeries, agreed to a minor-league contract with the Mets on Friday and said he hopes to compete for a spot in the team's crowded bullpen.

A Flotsam data special: Tangiblizing the intangible  —  Chuck Dickens  —  Idiot Savant  —  After Tim McCarver's month-long David Eckstein sploogefest that was October 2006, a serious investigation into ‘grit’ was long overdue.  Despite the penchant of sportswriters and broadcasters …

Notes: Fields glad to welcome Quentin  —  Off-the-field friends excited to team up on the South Side  —  CHICAGO — Prior to Josh Fields leaving on an extended vacation earlier in the offseason, he spoke by phone to a good friend who played for the Diamondbacks but expected to get moved by Arizona.