The Hall of Fame Ballot  —  It took a lot of time and a lot of thought to solve my Hall of Fame voting conflict.  As I referenced in last week's On The Beat, I still had a blank ballot in my hands less than a week before the deadline to submit my vote.  I truly agonized over whether to vote …

Mike Jacobs signed to Minor League deal  —  No big roster news yet coming out of the holidays on the Mariners, as things still seem quiet across the MLB world with most teams stepping back to evaluate things over the Christmas break.  —  But I can report today that the Mariners have signed …

SOX SCOUTING JAVIER VAZQUEZ ON FRIDAY  —  According to an industry source, the Red Sox are slated to scout right-hander Javier Vazquez when he pitches for Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League on Friday.  Vazquez is pitching against Santurce in the third game of the playoffs for Caguas …

Rangers add reliever Frasor  —  The Texas Rangers have added sturdy veteran right-handed reliever Jason Frasor to a one-year deal with a base salary of $1.5 million.  He earned $3.75 million with Toronto last season.  —  The deal came together on Thursday after Frasor passed a physical.

Padres announce dates for 2013 Fanfest & annual awards dinner  —  Both events to be held the second weekend in February  —  SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Padres today announced Padres FanFest presented by State Farm will return to Petco Park on Saturday, February 9, 2013.  The daylong event is free and open to the public.

Amazin'!  Mets owners refi $450M in loans  —  The owners of the Mets have scored some financial relief.  —  After a months-long process, team owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz have refinanced $450 million in loans borrowed against cable network SportsNet New York, which airs Mets games, The Post has learned.

Despite intact bullpen, Duquette open to adding another reliever  —  Last season, the bullpen was one of the Orioles' season-long strengths, and while the club's corps of relievers returns intact in 2013, executive vice president Dan Duquette said he's open to adding another bullpen arm this offseason.

Mets to host winter blood drive Thursday  —  NEW YORK — The Mets will host their annual winter blood drive at Citi Field from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, in partnership with the New York Blood Center.  All fans who donate blood will receive a voucher redeemable for one pair of tickets to a select Mets game in April.

Berkman talking about 2013 return  —  Free agent Lance Berkman still has not decided that he will play in 2013.  But he is talking about a possible return with multiple clubs, including the Texas Rangers, major-league sources say.  —  Berkman's hometown team, the Houston Astros …

Internet Commenters Try to Trade for Giancarlo Stanton  —  Being a baseball rumormonger is a difficult job to do well.  First, you spend years building a network of sources who can and will tell you interesting things about baseball teams.  Even after you've collected your contacts …

A New Solution to the DH Debate  —  It's January.  The holidays are over.  The Winter Meetings are over.  Hall of Fame voting is over.  They even solved that fiscal thing.  The MVPs and Cy Youngs and Rookies of the Year have been given out.  Zack Greinke and Josh Hamilton have signed.