JOHAN SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS  —  Rich teams getting richer makes Bud Selig grimace.  Nevertheless, after watching the Yankees and Alex Rodriguez agree on the largest contract in baseball history that could swell past the $300 million mark, the commissioner is bracing for another team …

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.

Marlins may find Angels may be best fit in any deal for Miguel Cabrera  —  If the Marlins don't budge from their four-player demand for Miguel Cabrera, here's one potential return from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: second baseman Howie Kendrick, catcher Jeff Mathis …

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.

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.

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 …