Yanks should say no thanks for Santana  —  By the time 2008 rolls around, the Johan Santana Rumor Mill will get cranked up again.  —  The latest bit of speculation is that Minnesota would accept a package of Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and Jeff Marquez for their lefty ace.  I'm sure that sounds acceptable to many fans.

Royals sign catcher Miguel Olivo to one-year deal with mutual option for 2009  —  Kansas City, MO (Dec. 27, 2007) - The Kansas City Royals have signed catcher Miguel Olivo to a one-year contract for 2008.  The Royals and Olivo each hold options for the 2009 season.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Mattingly's place on ballot deserved  —  Yankees legend enters eighth year of Hall of Fame candidacy  —  NEW YORK — For 14 seasons, Don Mattingly was the face of the New York Yankees.  Unfortunately for the first baseman, those years didn't result in any World Series championships, leaving the captain with a big hole on his resume.

30 Rock  —  Four years ago yesterday, I wrote my first article on Bert Blyleven.  It was designed to raise the awareness of Blyleven's qualifications for the Hall of Fame.  I have added about 20 pieces since then, including more statistical evidence, interviews with Blyleven and voters, and responses to naysayers.

Mitchell Report not affecting baseball ticket sales  —  Major League Baseball has always had its doomsayers.  Well, maybe not always, but certainly in the past several decades.  For one reason or another, baseball has been a dying sport.  Except it has never died.

Prior to pitch close to home, agrees with Padres … Mark Prior, cut loose by the Cubs earlier this month, has agreed to terms with the San Diego Padres.  —  An announcement is expected to come sometime Wednesday.  —  Prior, 27, last pitched in the big leagues in 2006, and had shoulder surgery in April of 2007.

Clemens's Legal Team Adds Private Investigators  —  Roger Clemens's lawyer has hired private investigators to try to challenge the credibility of Brian McNamee, the trainer who told federal agents and former Senator George J. Mitchell that he had injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone …

Cardinals Front Office = Liars  —  All we can do is go by facts.  Others can choose to disagree about the nature of the business.  Frankly, we feel very fortunate to have a payroll in the $90 million range.  It's a great baseball town but it's not a huge market.

Mailbag: Glavine, Crisp, Livan  —  Let's open up the MLBTR mailbag until some new rumors come along.  —  I won't necessarily agree with you when you say that Tom Glavine was a bad signing.  By adding Glavine, it gives the Braves three solid options at the top of their rotation.  - David

This is Rice's year  —  Planets seem to be aligning for Rice's election to the Hall  —  This is Jim Rice's 14th appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot.  He only gets one more audition before he's turned over to the veterans committee.  But he won't need year No. 15, or the smoke-filled room of the old-timers' group.