Vinas, one of 'Hank's Yanks,' gets Minors deal  —  Ace of Steinbrenner's youth ballclub has chance at pro career  —  NEW YORK — For Leonel Vinas, it had been enough to spend a summer wearing a uniform for “Hank's Yanks,” the youth ballclub sponsored by Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner.

Lifting a bit of weight  —  The Hall of Fame ballot goes in the mail today with check marks next to the names of Bert Blyleven, Roberto Alomar, and Jack Morris.  —  We won't know who's in until January, but this year's ballot has some new challenges because the Steroid Boys are stepping forward in large numbers.

Yankees, Red Sox hit with luxury tax  —  Only two teams — the Red Sox and Yankees — will be forced to pay Major League Baseball's luxury tax.  —  The Associated Press reported Tuesday that New York and Boston have exceeded the league's payroll threshold and will be charged an additional tax …

Source: Rangers eye Brandon Webb  —  The Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals continued to show strong interest in Brandon Webb on Tuesday, while a third reported suitor, the Chicago Cubs, fell off the pace in their pursuit of the free-agent starter.  —  A source confirmed that Webb …

Phillips, Stubbs likely leadoff candidates  —  CINCINNATI — This month's search for a true leadoff hitter by the Reds essentially concluded in a cul-de-sac that brought them to exactly where they were when they started.  —  “We haven't found anybody available that is to our liking,” …

O'Dowd, Rox patient in pursuit of relief help  —  DENVER — It looks as if Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd will wait until after the holidays to continue his shopping for a relief pitcher — the last big-ticket item on the club's list.  —  The Rockies have been exploring free agency …

Patterson among six to sign with Blue Jays  —  Club brings aboard outfielder with Minors deal, spring invite  —  TORONTO — The Blue Jays completed some last minute holiday shopping Tuesday morning by signing outfielder Corey Patterson and five other players to Minor League contracts with invites to Spring Training.

Rodgers: 'I'm baaaaaaacckkkk'  —  GREEN BAY - The text message was brief and to the point, and the only thing easier to read Tuesday evening was the excitement coming from Aaron Rodgers' iPhone.  —  I'm baaaaaaacckkkk.  —  Yes, after seeing his 46-game consecutive starts streak …

This May Or May Not Be Rex Ryan's Wife Making Foot-Fetish Videos (UPDATE)  —  There's a celebrity in the foot-fetish world who posts videos with titles like “Hot Mature Sexy Feet.”  The videos feature a woman who looks like Jets coach Rex Ryan's wife, Michelle — and, in one, a man offscreen who sounds like Rex.

Currently at impasse with LaRoche, O's turn attention to Lee  —  While the Orioles haven't abandoned hope of signing free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche, their inability to get a deal done has prompted them to renew talks with Derrek Lee, according to multiple sources.

Angels pull offer to Adrian Beltre off table, but ‘door is still open’ to sign third baseman  —  The Angels have pulled their free-agent offer to Adrian Beltre, a deal that was believed to be in the five-year, $70-million range, but a major league source familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday that …

Greinke.  Gone.  —  I've got to hand it to Dayton Moore - I didn't think he could do it.  I didn't think he could find anyone to take Yuniesky Betancourt off his hands, and I didn't think he had it in him to admit he made a mistake in acquiring Yuni in the first place.  And he did.