Plenty to choose from for hole in OF  —  While the Yankees feel better about their team today than say three weeks ago, they still enter the final 10 days before the trade deadline expected to make a deal, or two.  —  Manager Joe Torre and general manager Brian Cashman have both stated …

Rangers go on a fast ride  —  BOSTON - The Rangers had a smooth travel experience from Toronto, arriving at Fenway Park at 11:30 a.m., 2 1/2 hours before Thursday's game with the Red Sox.  They received a police escort from the airport to the ballpark, and Rangers manager Buck Showalter said the efficiency was impressive.

'It was either him or me'  —  Jays manager challenged Hillenbrand to a fight  —  TORONTO (AP) — After Shea Hillenbrand wrote on the clubhouse bulletin board that the "ship was sinking," Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons challenged him to a fight.  —  There was no brawl …

Guillen's Trade Value Takes a Hit  —  Elbow Soreness Sends Right Fielder to the DL  —  MIAMI, July 20 — Washington Nationals right fielder Jose Guillen was placed on the disabled list Thursday with an elbow injury that could cost him the rest of the season, and General Manager Jim Bowden spent part …

Nationals unveil RFK changes  —  Fans for weekend series will get red-carpet treatment  —  WASHINGTON — Trying to spread the word about the "Grand Re-opening" of Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, the Washington Nationals hosted roughly 30 members of the media as they offered a tour around their newly improved ballpark.

Going to bat for housing  —  Ex-Met Vaughn a developer  —  Mo Vaughn, who struck out as a New York Met, is hoping to be a bigger hit now for the city.  —  The hulking first baseman, who retired from baseball because of a wrecked knee, is fixing up run-down low-income housing as his second career.

Quentin hits 1st homer; Bonds hits No. 722  —  Barry Bonds moved within 33 home runs of career leader Hank Aaron and left the ballpark without talking to the media.  Carlos Quentin moved within 754 of Aaron and was talking up a storm.  —  Bonds hit his 722nd career home run hours …

Payback on tap if plunking persists  —  DETROIT — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen issued a promise to Vicente Padilla in the event the Texas pitcher intentionally hits one of his hitters Sunday, as he twice plunked A.J. Pierzynski five weeks ago.  —  "Believe me, if Padilla does something about it …

From worst...to first: Making the most of empty seats at a Marlins game  —  "Blue seats," my editor says.  "That's the challenge."  —  The glee in his voice is usually reserved for assignments such as asking five "wacky questions" of Barry Bonds, but I'm calling his bluff.

Abreu trade unlikely  —  CINCINNATI - While industry buzz was that the Mets and Phillies were engaged in talks that would include a Bobby Abreu-for-Lastings Milledge swap, Mets insiders said yesterday that deal seemed unlikely.  —  Still, Mets GM Omar Minaya has shown a willingness in the past to trade away top prospects.

Endy extra good!  —  Double in 10th lifts Mets  —  CINCINNATI - Some fast thinking by Endy Chavez helped cap the Mets' successful road trip with a victory.  —  Chavez, facing Gary Majewski in the 10th inning yesterday, knew his former Expos and Nationals teammate's propensity for high-octane fastballs.

Quite frankly, Baker bails out  —  Host denies incendiary e-mail came from staff  —  Cubs manager Dusty Baker hasn't had much love for ESPN since the cable network ran a story in 2002 that revealed his long-standing dispute with the Internal Revenue Service.

Sosa return to Cubs unlikely  —  Cubs general manager Jim Hendry shook his head and rolled his eyes Thursday when asked about Sammy Sosa possibly making a comeback.  —  "I don't talk about that,'' Hendry said.  —  Hendry's body language said enough — that Sosa certainly wouldn't be extended an invitation to rejoin the Cubs.

Braves trade for closer Wickman  —  Minor league catcher Ramirez sent to Indians  —  The resurgent Braves were off Thursday but stayed busy, filling their most glaring need by trading for veteran Cleveland Indians closer Bob Wickman in a deal that cost Atlanta only a low-level minor league catching prospect …

Padres interested in Mariners' Beltre  —  The Padres, continuing their search for a third baseman, are taking aim at a talented, expensive and perhaps unattainable option — the Mariners' Adrian Beltre.  —  The Mariners likely will entertain offers for Beltre only if they fall out of contention by the July 31 non-waiver deadline.

Lines remain open, but no urgent need to deal  —  CINCINNATI — Pedro Martinez is a week away from rejoining the rotation, rookie Mike Pelfrey continues to impress and the Mets have scored the most runs in the National League.  —  For all those reasons, the front office is not overly anxious …

Pirates Notebook: Randa not entirely without destinations  —  MIAMI — Joe Randa is skeptical he will be traded, no matter how hard the Pirates try.  —  And he has cause: There is not much demand for third basemen around Major League Baseball as the July 31 trading deadline nears.

test of willis  —  like i was saying yesterday: "baseball news often breaks when i'm called away from the laptop, so don't be at all surprised if the cardinals announce a trade this afternoon."  —  so, next best thing.  this ain't no idle rumor; jock is indeed deep into negotiations for dontrelle willis.