Marlins not shopping Stanton, and my HOF ballot  —  Sorry about the absence, but used some vacation time, covered the Sugar Bowl, and watched with detached amusement as the Giancarlo Stanton trade rumors swirled about.  The Marlins are not shopping Stanton.  They are not dangling him like the carrot at the end of a stick.

A Notre Dame-Alabama TV primer; Bobby Valentine gets a talk show  —  Brian Kelly wants Notre Dame's first title since 1988; Nick Saban wants 'Bama's third title in four years.  —  When Notre Dame and Alabama kickoff on Monday night in Miami shortly after 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN executives …

Will ‘roid rage’ among baseball writers show up in vote?  —  On Wednesday, the Baseball Writers Association of America and the Hall of Fame will announce the results of the voting that decides which candidates will be enshrined in Cooperstown, N.Y., this year.

Gerut on mission to protect players' finances  —  Former Major Leaguer turned agent focused on preventing money woes  —  Jody Gerut learned to invest his Major League earnings wisely and now wants to help other players.  (Matt York/AP)  —  There was a time when Jody Gerut …

Rebuilding The Brewers' Bullpen  —  No bullpen took more losses (33) or blew more saves (29) than the Brewers' relief unit last season.  A total of 18 different relievers pitched to a combined 4.66 ERA, the worst mark in the big leagues.  Unsurprisingly, GM Doug Melvin set out to remake …

Planning underway for Darvish museum  —  Texas Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish is only 26 years old, but he apparently has accomplished enough in that short time to be immortalized in his homeland ofJapan.  —  According to Japanese media reports, planning is underway for a Darvish museum …

Indians step up to plate, but DH remains a need  —  CLEVELAND — The Indians are not done looking for ways to upgrade aspects of their roster.  After signing right-hander Brett Myers, though, the club appears to be done doling out substantial big league contracts to free agents.

Jose Lopez signs with Yomiuri Giants  —  TOKYO — Former All-Star infielder Jose Lopez is headed to Japan.  —  He has signed with the Yomiuri Giants of the Central League, the country's most popular team and winner of the 2012 Japan Series.  According to Nikkan Sports, he agreed to a one-year deal worth $911,000.

Dr. James Andrews says he never cleared Robert Griffin III to go back into game after injury … Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) reacts after getting injured during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FedEx Field on Dec. 9.  (Photo: Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports)

Berkman close to signing with Texas  —  The Texas Rangers — closing in on a new designated hitter — are finalizing an agreement with free agent Lance Berkman, according to major-league sources.  —  The contract is expected to be for one year, and also might include a vesting option for 2014, sources said.

Mo says knee ‘95 percent’ on way toward full health  —  Baseball's all-time saves leader conducts pitching clinic for Connecticut kids  —  Mariano Rivera addresses kids at a pitching clinic in Danbury, Conn., on Saturday.  (Bryan Hoch/MLB.com)  —  DANBURY, Conn. — To most of his audience …