Hunter sought out role on a contender  —  The star center fielder's decision to leave was driven by the realization that the Twins won't be competitive in the AL Central in the near future, he said.  —  Torii Hunter said he wouldn't have returned to the Twins even if the money …

Hot Stove: Prices for Bay, Wilson might be 'outrageous'  —  The Pirates are not shopping Jason Bay or Jack Wilson.  —  That was the insistence of general manager Neal Huntington earlier this week in his PNC Park office.  —  "No, none of our players is being actively shopped," he said.

A-ROD GETS BUCKS FOR HIS BANGS  —  OKS $30M DEAL ON HISTORIC HRS  —  Alex Rodriguez's blockbuster new contract with the Yankees apparently is close to finalized.  —  According to a published report last night, the two sides have agreed upon a $30 million marketing package tied …

SERBY'S SUNDAY Q&A WITH...  HANK STEINBRENNER  —  The Post's Steve Serby chatted with the new Yankees boss about his expectations for 2008 and beyond, his life as George Steinbrenner's oldest son, and his memories of a lifetime in and around the world's most famous ballclub.

16 months after crash, Duaner Sanchez back on comeback trail to Mets  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - On a mound shielded from the drizzle outside, and just 20 feet from the spot where his recovery from a taxi-cab accident suffered a serious setback, Duaner Sanchez's right foot is touching the rubber for the first time since March.

Minaya needs to steal Yanks' thunder  —  For much of the last eight weeks, the Mets have been no more visible than an indoor lacrosse team.  They preferred the anonymity at first, if only because they needed a sanctuary from the wonder of their own gutless ways.

Hampton pitches one inning in rehab start  —  Braves left-hander Mike Hampton pitched one inning and allowed one hit with one strikeout in his Mexican Winter League debut Thursday for Novojoa, the first of seven starts he's scheduled to make as he embarks on his latest comeback bid.

Sign of turnaround in LA  —  Torre and young stars key to Dodger success  —  They were not about to get into the silly money the Angels gave Torii Hunter.  They would not go four years on Mike Lowell.  They are unwilling to part with four or even three top prospects for Miguel Cabrera …

Top 10 under-the-radar free agents  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The 2007-08 class of free agents was already a relatively weak one, and now that the ranks are dwindling by the day, it's even less impressive.  —  With that in mind, let's overlook for the moment the remaining marquee names …

Joe was a joy to be around  —  Grief is a powerful emotion.  It's hard to breathe in it.  It leaves us helpless, angry and confused.  —  Those emotions swirled inside Friday as I learned of Joe Kennedy's death.  I was attending the CU-Nebraska game when a message popped on my phone.

Rangers continue their hunting  —  After missing on center fielder Hunter, Daniels keeps looking  —  Torii Hunter is on his way to California to play for the Angels and the Rangers are mulling their next options for an offseason that is only just beginning to heat up.

Carlos Gomez, OF, New York Mets  —  Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-2 WT: 170 DOB: December 4, 1985  —  (stats will be in the book)  —  I don't like the way the Mets have handled their prospects lately.  Carlos Gomez was badly, BADLY rushed, and they have pushed Fernando Martinez …

To hell with Francisco Cordero  —  I thought waiting 24 hours after Coco Cordero signing with the Cincinnati Reds would be enough time for me to cool down and then give my thoughts on the signing.  The truth is, I could wait all winter until Opening Day and I'd still be pretty bitter towards Cordero for doing what he did.

Boras still has Pena's confidence  —  The amount the Rays will have to pay 1B Carlos Pena after his AL comeback player of the year performance remains a mystery.  —  Pena's friends were in an uproar last week, texting and calling his cell phone when they heard he placed ninth in the AL MVP voting.