ALEX LAUGHS AT PHILLIES TRADE RUMOR  —  July 21, 2006 — TORONTO - Alex Rodriguez laughed when a trade rumor that circulated through Wall Street yesterday was relayed to him.  —  "It doesn't make any difference," Rodriguez said of the rumor that had the Yankees third baseman going to the Phillies …

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.

Jersey barriers: Sox' rookie pitchers can't shake their big numbers easily  —  One of the lesser-known dramas that perennially repeats itself in a big league clubhouse is the pursuit of the pet uniform number.  Roger Clemens, for instance, upon joining the Toronto Blue Jays …

Gonzalez left out and upset  —  D-Backs veteran sounds off after 'one-day' stint on bench  —  PHOENIX — Luis Gonzalez never likes to see his name out of the lineup, but his omission Thursday in the final game of a four-game series with the Dodgers was particularly upsetting.

These contenders need to act before deadline  —  Contenders, take note: The Braves' acquisition of closer Bob Wickman on Thursday was a classic example of a team filling a need before the July 31 non-waiver deadline.  —  While several clubs remain on the bubble, unsure of whether to be buyers or sellers …

weasel?  we'll show you weasel.  —  Is there no end to the depths of Ozzie Guillen's insanity?  —  Via the Detroit Free Press: … A BUNCH OF LITTLE WEASEL GAMES.  —  Of course then the article goes on to talk about how the win yesterday was helped along by The River Thames bowling …

Host of Problems At New-Look RFK  —  If you are one of about 110,000 people who are expected to attend the Nationals' "grand reopening" at RFK Stadium for their three-game series against the Cubs this weekend, try to focus on the new cuisine at the stadium — crab cakes, "riblets," chili …

Pirates Q&A with Dejan Kovacevic  —  Q: Dejan, what's your opinion on the Bucs re-signing Sean Casey?  I like the guy, but, as you've pointed out, Casey's lack of power at first make him a liability.  —  Ryan Kasun of Export  —  KOVACEVIC: I have never described Casey as a "liability" …

Shealy's numbers draw more interest  —  Ryan Shealy has never asked for a trade.  He has remained unfailingly loyal to and patient with the Rockies.  But with interest in the first baseman escalating, Shealy made quite an audition tape Wednesday, going 2-for-5 with two doubles.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wakefield Injury Confirmed  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox might never know exactly what happened to Tim Wakefield's rib, but now they know why he's still in pain.  —  Manager Terry Francona confirmed Thursday that Wakefield has a stress fracture in one of his ribs and the right-handed knuckleballer …

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 …

TBS may pitch to Costas  —  Could the arrival of a new player - Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) - on Major League Baseball's national TV landscape signal the return of Bob (Rapping Roberto) Costas, one of the game's marquee play-by-play practitioners, to the broadcast booth?