Bonds, Clemens and Sosa make Hall of Fame ballots

The most polarizing Hall of Fame debate since Pete Rose will now be decided by the baseball shrine’s voters: Do Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa belong in Cooperstown despite drug allegations that tainted their huge numbers?

In a monthlong election sure to become a referendum on the Steroids Era, the Hall ballot was released Wednesday, and Bonds, Clemens and Sosa are on it for the first time.

Bonds is the all-time home run champion with 762 and won a record seven MVP awards. Clemens took home a record seven Cy Young trophies and is ninth with 354 vic- tories. Sosa ranks eighth on the homer chart with 609.

Yet for all their HRs, RBIs and Ws, the shadow of PEDs looms large.

More than 600 longtime members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America will vote on the 37-player ballot. Candidates require 75 percent for induction, and the results will be announced Jan. 9.

Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza and Curt Schilling also are among the 24 first-time eligibles. Jack Morris, Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines are the top holdover candidates.

Padres-Rangers: Texas acquired righthander Cory Burns from the Padres in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Burns allowed 11 runs over 18 innings in 17 relief appearances for the Padres.

Angels: Right-handed reliever Ryan Madson agreed to a one-year deal with Los Angeles, hoping for a comeback from Tommy John surgery. Madson says he expects to be the Angels’ closer. He was outstanding as the Phillies’ closer in 2011, getting 32 saves with a 2.37 ERA.

Athletics: Righthanded reliever Pat Neshek (2-1, 1.37 ERA in 24 games) and Oakland reached agreement on a one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.

Braves: Atlanta made baseball’s first big off- season move when they agreed to terms with former Tampa Bay center fielder B.J. Upton on a five-year contract worth $75.25 million, the largest free-agent contract in franchise history.

Reds: Cincinnati signed Jonathan Broxton to a three-year, $21 million contract, giving the NL Central champions a potential closer. Broxton had four saves in six chances with a 2.82 ERA replacing injured closer Aroldis Chapman.

Yankees: Left-hander Andy Pettitte, who missed three months with a broken leg last season, signed a one-year deal with New York worth $12 million.

Pettitte (5-4, 2.87 ERA) turns 41 in June.