2011 Red Sox Will Challenge 1927 Yankees for Title of Greatest Team in Major League History  —  The Red Sox have won 100 or more games three times in their 110-year existence.  —  They will make it four in 2011.  But this team has the potential to accomplish something even bigger than winning 100 games.

Baseball Hall of Fame: Who gets in on Wednesday?  —  If the Tribune's Hall of Fame voters reflect national sentiment, Roberto Alomar will get in on his second year on the ballot when results are announced Wednesday.  Our seven voters were unanimous in naming Alomar on their ballots.

Detroit has pieces in place to rock tough Central  —  Tigers hope returning stars plus additions help beat Twins, Sox  —  DETROIT — The Tigers led the American League Central for more than four months in 2009 before finally falling in a tiebreaker game.  They topped the division for a stretch …

O's agree to terms with Lee  —  The Orioles are close to knocking off a big item from their offseason wish list as they have agreed to terms with free agent first baseman Derrek Lee, according to sources.  The deal is pending a physical and the terms of the deal aren't currently known …

Orioles' Alfredo Simon is main suspect in killing  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Baltimore Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon is the main suspect in the New Year's Eve killing of a man in the Dominican Republic, police said Sunday.  —  The pitcher shot and killed 25-year-old Michel Castillo Almonte …

Nats said to offer LaRoche two-year deal  —  Search for first baseman continues as Lee signs with Orioles  —  WASHINGTON — After missing out on Derrek Lee, who agreed to terms with the Orioles on Friday, the Nationals continue to search for a first baseman.

Crawford says Thanks Tampa Bay in ad  —  Carl Crawford raised more than a few eyebrows when he said his heart was in Boston during his introductory press conference with the Red Sox last month (and didn't say much of anything about his former Rays team), but Sunday he said thanks to the Tampa Bay area in a half-page ad in the Times.

Bargain hunters cooking up plans at the Hot Stove  —  The holiday break is over, and now the “second season” of the Hot Stove is about to begin.  Here's a look at who might benefit from bargain basement players or January trades:  —  1. Tampa Bay — The Rays didn't sign Joaquin Benoit until Feb. 15 …

Yanks enter '11 with unfamiliar uncertainty  —  NEW YORK — For the Yankees, there is only one scoreboard that really matters at the end of each season, and it involves hoisting a championship flag high above Yankee Stadium.  —  Since there will be no such ceremony when the Yankees put …

Rangers Agree To Terms With Venezuelan Shortstop Odor  —  Venezuelan shortstop Rougned Odor has agreed to terms with the Rangers for $425,000.  —  Odor is a 5-foot-10 lefthanded hitter who stands out for his simple, compact stroke and advanced feel for hitting, though many scouts believe he will move to second base.

Rox not confirming reports of a CarGo deal  —  DENVER — For the second time in eight days, the Rockies are not confirming a report from Venezuela that outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is about to sign a lucrative multi-year contract.  —  El Nacional in Caracas, citing sources linked to Gonzalez …