Yankees may give up on Johan Santana  —  Brian Cashman has remained protective of the Yankees' assembled prospects, while Hal Steinbrenner has been equally shielding of the team's finances.  —  Hank Steinbrenner?  That's been another story for much of the winter.

Steroid hearing delayed  —  WASHINGTON — Congress wants to be prepared when Roger Clemens and his former trainer, Brian McNamee, head to Capitol Hill.  —  The House hearing involving Clemens, McNamee and Andy Pettitte was postponed Wednesday from Jan. 16 until Feb. 13 …

New hire completes front-office overhaul  —  With his lieutenants now in place, new Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak's front office is done taking shape and is moving on to establishing its identity.  —  The Cardinals announced Wednesday the hiring of Gary LaRocque, a longtime executive with the New York Mets.

Astros ink 5 to minor league deals  —  Team announces spring training set to kick off Feb. 14  —  Infielder Lance Niekro, the son of Astros all-time wins leader Joe Niekro, was among five players signed by the Astros to minor league contracts and given invitations to spring training Wednesday.

Bad time to acquire a juicer  —  Leadoff hitter could be perfect addition to awesome lineup, but admitted user of performance-enhancing drugs also would kill club's integrity  —  Is it possible a man can use steroids only once?  Does he feel a needle pierce the hide of his buttocks and realize …

D-Backs' Lyon seeks multiyear contract  —  The Diamondbacks have had brief discussions with the representative for reliever Brandon Lyon about a multiyear contract, but agent Barry Meister said the sides have some hurdles to overcome if a deal is to be reached.

Study Suggests That Amputee Holds an Unfair Advantage  —  The Olympic aspirations of Oscar Pistorius, a double-amputee sprinter from South Africa, may end soon.  Track and field's world governing body is expected to announce that he is ineligible to race against able-bodied athletes …

Thirty game broadcasts highlight 2008 Mets Spring Training schedule  —  19 on TV; 11 on radio; Tickets to Spring Training games at Tradition Field go on sale Saturday, Jan. 19  —  FLUSHING — The New York Mets today announced their 2008 Spring Training broadcast schedule which features 16 telecasts …

Paying for relief: GMs open wallets for bullpen help  —  IF THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS are going to be contenders in the National League Central for a second consecutive season, they will need three of their new relief pitchers to make comebacks as part of their rebuilt bullpen.

Pirates approach LaRoche about long-term deal  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates have approached first baseman Adam LaRoche to discuss a contract that could span three or four years, a signing that would be the franchise's most significant since shortstop Jack Wilson's four-year extension in 2006.

Star pitcher trading baseballs for video games  —  (GameTap.com) — Curt Schilling, the split-finger fastballer from Boston with a penchant for honoring superstitions, playing through pain, and winning, says he intends to play only one more year of baseball.  “I'm done.

Jose Reyes Vs. Hanley Ramirez  —  Time for a shortstop smackdown.  These guys are both getting picked toward the top of the first round - which one is a better bet for 2008?  —  Jose Reyes  — Age: 24.6  — Games in Majors: 596  — 2006 line: .300-17-81-122-64 in 647 ABs (value of $47.89 under my system)