TRIED TO STEER CC AWAY FROM YANKS  —  Early in his career, Kenny Lofton hurt the Yankees as an Indian when he batted .330 against them across his first four years in a Cleveland uniform.  —  In the fall of 2007, he helped the Indians dismiss the Yankees from the first round of the AL playoffs …

A possible throw in  —  Taking Igawa might key Cameron deal  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Talks between Milwaukee and New York involving a swap of centerfielders Mike Cameron and Melky Cabrera broke down Thursday at the winter meetings in Las Vegas because the Yankees asked …

Yanks improve rotation, keep young talent  —  The winter obsession last year was Johan Santana — and the Yankees or the Red Sox could have had him.  They could have traded for the accomplished left-hander who was about to turn 29.  But what folks in both front offices decided was that the double-barreled cost was prohibitive.

Burrell leaves Phillies quietly but disappointed  —  PAT BURRELL was asked to lead the Phillies' triumphal parade down Broad Street.  Then, nothing.  After that the organization seemed content to allow him, like MacArthur's old soldiers, to just fade away.

With bullpen in order, Mets are starting to cry Wolf  —  After remaking their bullpen at the winter meetings, the Mets this week are planning to welcome new relievers Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz and also move on to another area of concern:  —  The starting rotation.

Phillies Notebook: Dobbs endorses addition of Ibanez to Phillies outfield  —  DIAL THE cell phone of Raul Ibanez and listen to the music before the voice mail kicks in.  —  It's the theme from “Rocky.”  —  Ibanez, who needs only to pass a physical to formalize the 3-year …

Trouble at 18th and Vine  —  It's been a long two years for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.  Buck O'Neil died in October 2006, and since then there has been haggling over (a) an education and research center that O'Neil hoped would be his legacy; and (b) a new Executive Director of the Museum itself.

Notes from MLB's Winter Meetings  —  Notes from the recently concluded Winter Meetings in Las Vegas:  — The Padres are exploring forms of new ownership, but an executive with another club said he doubts either a partial or full sale would happen quickly.  “I expect it would be a lengthy process,” he said.

Okajima completes 6-hour Honolulu Marathon  —  Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima gestures after finishing the Honolulu Marathon on Sunday in Honolulu.  (AP)  —  It really is a marathon, not a sprint.  —  Under rainy and wet conditions, Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima completed today's Honolulu Marathon in 6:10:26 (gun time).

Teixeira rumor control  —  There's a rumor flying around that Mark Teixeira is in the Baltimore area and will attend the Ravens game today as a guest of Peter Angelos.  This would be very nice if it was true, but I can't confirm it and I have serious doubts.