YANKS SIGN JOHN RODRIGUEZ  —  Outfielder John Rodriguez, a native New Yorker who played two seasons with the Cardinals, was signed to a minor league contract by the Yankees, the Post has learned.  —  Rodriguez was originally signed by the Yankees in November 1996 and played in their minor league system through the 2004 season.

Sources: Tribe interested in Pavano  —  The Cleveland Indians have emerged as a strong candidate to sign free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano, several baseball sources told ESPN.com.  —  Pavano, 32, is looking to rehabilitate his career after suffering numerous injuries in four seasons with the Yankees.

Teixeira: ‘In the back of my mind, the Yankees were always the top’  —  The Yankees officially introduced first baseman Mark Teixeira at a press conference at the old Yankee Stadium this afternoon.  Here are few notable comments from the 28-year-old slugger, who agreed to an eight-year …

Mets to meet with Boras about Lowe, Perez  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Still looking to fill out the rotation, the New York Mets are ready to make their push for a proven starting pitcher.  —  Mets executives set up a face-to-face meeting Wednesday with agent Scott Boras to talk about two of his free-agent clients …

Reds agree to terms with Hairston  —  Infielder/outfielder expected to be everyday shortstop in 2009  —  CINCINNATI — The Reds have reached an agreement with free-agent infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. on a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $2 million, a baseball source told MLB.com on Tuesday.

Sources: O's, Uehara agree on multi-year deal  —  Likely slated for starting rotation, RHP would break ground as first Japan native to play for O's  —  The Orioles appear to have filled one vacant spot in their wide-open rotation while at the same time officially opening the door to the Far East.

Cubs finalize Marquis-Vizcaino swap  —  Veteran sent to Colorado in move which creates salary flexibility  —  CHICAGO — The Cubs continued their offseason restructuring on Tuesday, sending pitcher Jason Marquis to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for reliever Luis Vizcaino.

2009 starts...slowly  —  Glad to be back and am ready to start a brand new year of covering the Mariners.  Many thanks to all of you who wrote in and emailed me privately about my knee surgery.  I'm happy to report that things are progressing well.  —  On to the Mariners …

YANKS SET TO LOWER OFFER TO PETTITTE  —  Andy Pettitte's chances to return to the Yankees have dropped precipitously because in the aftermath of the Mark Teixeira signing the organization is now strongly inclined to lower the $10 million offer that the lefty already has been resistant to all offseason, the Post has learned.

Romero deserved his punishment  —  Buzz up!  —  The over-the-counter supplement that supposedly snuck up on J.C. Romero last summer is billed as providing “Maximum testosterone production FOR HARDCORE USERS ONLY.”  —  The supposedly harmless pills Romero popped in order to pitch …

GIAMBI AGREES TO ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH ATHLETICS  —  RETURNS TO OAKLAND AFTER FAILED STINT IN THE BRONX  —  On the day the Yankees are introducing Mark Teixeira as their new first baseman, the man he is replacing has found a new home.  —  Jason Giambi has agreed to one-year deal with Athletics worth $4.5 million.

Rookie voter wants Raines in Baseball Hall of Fame's forecast  —  For some athletes, it takes 15 years longer than expected to reach the Hall of Fame.  For me, it just took 15 years longer than I expected to get to vote.  —  In 1984, as the Rangers backup beat writer to the great Tim Kurkjian …