Peter Abraham on his Yankee blog for the Journal News reports that Hank and Hal Steinbrenner share the decision making equally for the Yankees. Abraham writes…

For the better part of three months, Hank Steinbrenner has said that it’ll be up to him whether the Yankees trade for Johan Santana. He made similar comments about signing Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada.

Turns out that’s only half true.

“They share the power,” Rubenstein said. “They are equal partners for both business and baseball. I spoke to them about it today and that’s the situation.”

Hal has been less enthusiastic than Hank about adding Johan Santana to the Yankee payroll. Looks like the buck doesn’t stop at Hank after all. 

The AP is reporting that relief pitcher Rich “Goose” Gossage was the only person elected to the HOF this year, in his 9th year of eligibility.

Gossage played 22 seasons in the majors for nine teams, spending his best years with the Yankees and Padres.

Fellow Hall of Fame hopeful Jim Rice fell short again, receiving 72.2 percent of the vote.

Kat O’Brien on her Yankees blog for Newsday writes that Hank and Hal Stienbrenner do not see eye to eye when it comes to Johan Santana.

There’s some talk out there that Hank and Hal Steinbrenner may not be in agreement as to what to do about Santana, perhaps because Hal Steinbrenner doesn’t want the payroll to keep rising.

What could be more entertaining than the brothers Steinbrenner battling it out in the Bronx? I look forward to that over the next few years. 

Hat tip to Taxman

The New York Yankees officially announced today they have signed third baseman Alex Rodriguez to a 10-year contract. Peter Abraham has the press release on his Journal News blog.

Abraham also posts audio of A-Rod being critical of his agent Scott Boras.

Interesting they chose to announce this today. Perhaps they’re looking for a deflection from the report that numerous Yankees will be named in the Mitchell Report.

According to ESPN.com, The Yankees are close to signing free agent RP Latroy Hawkins to a one year deal worth close to 3.75m

 Appearing in 62 games last year, Hawkins compiled a 3.42 ERA in 55.1 innings

 From what I saw of Hawkins in the playoffs, he seems to be back to his old form. Decent Sign for the Yanks.

Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun reports that the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees have discussed left fielder Hideki Matsui for a starter. Matsui does have a complete no-trade clause.

Matsui, 33, went .285 with 25 HRs, 103 RBIs while scoring 100 runs. He currently has $26 million left on his contract over the next two seasons. His deal also includes a no-trade clause.

Update 2:35PM - Peter Abraham of the Journal News has picked this up as well. He notes that Matsui also would become San Francisco’s best power threat with Bonds gone. Abraham suggests a package of SP Noah Lowry and INF Rich Aurilia or Lowry and RP Kevin Correia.

Relaying information from Michael Silverman, the Boston Herald is reporting that the Diamondbacks and Athletics have had constructive talks about a deal that would send Dan Haren to Arizona and Conor Jackson, Carlos Gonzalez and two other players to Oakland.

Barry Svrugula of the Washington Post is reporting that the Nationals have received RHP Tyler Clippard from the Yankees in exchange for RHP Jonathan Albaladejo pending physicals for both players.

Man, the Nationals sure are active on the first day of the winter meetings, and I really don’t like it. After improving their offense with the aquisitions of Milledge and Dukes they go out and upgrade their rotation with this trade. They could be only a few pitchers away from being competitive next season.

Appearing on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight, Buster Olney says that the Twins and Yankees are still at a crossroads on a Johan Santana deal. The proposed deal is still Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, and a third player. The Twins still want that third player to be Ian Kennedy, but the Yankees have rejected that on a few occasions.

The sooner Johan gets dealt, the sooner we can all focus on the rest of the market

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com is reporting that the Twins and Yankees were getting nowhere in discussions in their attempt to complete a deal for Johan Santana. The Yankees are contemplating pulling out of the race for the left-hander.

The report states that the Twins again asked the Yankees for Ian Kennedy as the third-player in the deal for Santana that also included Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera. The Yankees may look to the bay and a possible deal for Oakland ace Dan Haren.

Fox Sports reports that the Boston Red Sox will not put the same deadline on their Johan Santana talks with the Twins that the Yankees have.

Hank Steinbrenner gave the Twins until midnight tonight to accept the Yankees offer of Melky Cabrera, Philip Hughes and a third prospect. The third player could be Triple-A SS Alberto Gonzales or Double-A RHP Alan Horne.

The Red Sox are offering Jon Lester or center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury along with shortstop Jed Lowrie. Coco Crisp would also be included if the Twins chose Lester, and not Ellsbury.

Peter Abraham on his blog for the Journal News reports the following.

The Yanks and Twins are meeting tonight. Hank Steinbrenner, quiet all day, told an AP reporter at Legends Field that he expected some sort of conclusion.

The Yankees and Red Sox have not budged from their offers, I’m told. Theo Epstein said he willing to let the process play out as long as it takes.

It could be a long night. I’ll keep you posted once something happens.

Hat tip to Gary Grund for the Abraham link.

According to Steve Phillips and Peter Gammons on ESPN news the majority of the Yankees brass is flying in tonight and they will meet with the Twins contingency soon to talk about Johan Santana.

Gammons continues to say the Mets dont have the horses to compete with the Yanks and the Red Sox for Santana. They both believe something will get done tonight.

Check out ESPN 2 at 5:00 PM EST for a Winter Meetings Special.

Peter Abraham writes in his blog that based on adding up contracts of the various players that the Yankees have spent money on this winter, it comes out to a total of $408.4 million, not counting the $30 million Alex Rodriguez could receive in bonus payments or any potential contract Johan Santana gets if he is traded to the team.

The Yankees have spent a ton of money this winter. A-Rod ($275 million), Rivera ($45 million), Posada ($52.4), Molina ($4 million), Abreu ($16 million) and now Pettitte ($16 million).

Alex’s deal is reportedly front-loaded at $32 million for the first three years. At the moment, I have their 2008 payroll at $200.6 million.

That assume Cano and Wang would receive $4 million each. That $200.6 million figure accounts for only 16 players.

If they retain Vizcaino for $3 million and sign the other eight players for around the minimum, the Yankees are looking at a $207 million payroll.