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Mets acquire All Star

In a twist to this year's winter meetings, trades have overtaken free-agent signings as the big newsmakers. The biggest deal of all was made by the New York Mets, who acquired All Star second baseman Roberto Alomar from Cleveland in an eight-player trade.

Cleveland, which has won six of the last seven American League Central titles, is looking to retool and wanted to get younger.

"I know this trade won't be immediately embraced," new general manager Mark Shapiro said after making his first deal.

After weeks of anticipation, the New York Yankees planned a news conference yesterday at Yankee Stadium to announce a seven-year contract with Jason Giambi worth about $120 million.

Giambi hit .342 with 38 homers and 120 RBIs last season for the Oakland Athletics, finishing second in voting for the American League Most Valuable Player award. He won the MVP in 2000. His left-handed power stroke is ideal for Yankee Stadium, with its short right field.

"Giambi is one of the dominating hitters in the game today," said Seattle manager Lou Piniella.

Thought the Bowl Championship Series was confounding? Try the Heisman Trophy voting results.

In one of the closest Heisman races ever, more than 30 percent of the 900-plus voters didn't return a ballot, the lightest response in more than two decades and among the lowest in a half century.

Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch won college football's top individual award over Florida quarterback Rex Grossman last weekend in the fourth-tightest race in the awards' 67-year history.

"We did everything we could to ensure the integrity of the vote, even extend the deadline a day and a half," Jim Corcoran, president of the Downtown Athletic Club said. "Under the circumstances, I think it turned out pretty good."