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 …

New Orleans Saints player: Steve Spagnuolo should be fired as defensive coordinator  —  Players throughout the season gave a uniform voice of support for New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and the drastically different scheme he brought to the team when the Saints hired him one year ago.

RHP Brett Myers will get chance to start for Cleveland Indians after agreeing to 1-year deal  —  CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Indians have reached agreement with veteran right-hander Brett Myers on a one-year deal with a club option for 2014 pending a physical.  —  Myers, according to a league source …

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 …

Treasure Coast pitcher Scott Proctor signs with San Francisco Giants  —  JENSEN BEACH — Veteran Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher Scott Proctor has agreed to terms with the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants, according to his agent, Mark Rodgers.

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.

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 …

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.

Rex Ryan leaves New Jersey as Jets ponder next move  —  Rex Ryan has been eerily silent since the season ended.  —  The typically talkative coach hasn't commented on the team's decision to fire GM Mike Tannenbaum, the looming firing of offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, the new GM search or surviving the ax on Black Monday.

Why baseball's National League should adopt the DH  —  Designated hitters don't ruin America's pastime — they make it more fun to watch  —  Pitchers are terrible hitters.  We all know it.  Of course, it's completely understandable.  Aspiring young pitchers are so busy perfecting their curveball …

Inbox: Could a trade be made for an outfield bat?  —  Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers Rangers fans' questions  —  Since Cody Ross recently signed with the Diamondbacks, which gives them a lot of outfield depth, does this give the Rangers another shot at trading for Justin Upton?

Scott Boras' title of ‘Mr. January’ faces stiff challenge from MLB's new rules on free agency  —  Just like any document that runs 295 pages and 95,268 words, Major League Baseball's collective-bargaining agreement flirts often with the law of unintended consequences.