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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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?

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" …

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 …

Etkin: Johnston persevering through tough times  —  The first full professional season is a mental and physical grind for any player — more games, more travel and more exhausting.  Low Single-A Asheville closer Andrew Johnston has had to deal with these typical obstacles and then some.