Willie: We don't need any trades  —  ATLANTA - The nonwaiver trading deadline arrives at 4p.m. today, and while their crosstown rivals have made a splash in acquiring Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle, Mets insiders have consistently downplayed the likelihood of a deal - especially one that rivals Abreu's relocation to the Bronx.

Deal nothing more than a salary saver  —  Trade?  OK.  That's what the press release called it.  That's what Phillies general manager Pat Gillick called it.  And that's what the New York Yankees will probably call it two months from now, when they talk about the key moves that allowed …

Soriano, Nationals Are Still Waiting  —  When the Washington Nationals' bus pulled out of the lot just beyond center field Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, Alfonso Soriano was on it, headed to the airport.  On the same bus sat Jim Bowden, the team's general manager, carrying not just his luggage …

Tigers acquire Casey from Pirates  —  The Tigers, completing their quest to add a left-handed hitter, acquired first baseman Sean Casey from the Pirates on Monday for a minor-league pitcher, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  The deal is expected to be one of several completed by the Pirates before Monday's non-waiver deadline at 4 p.m.

Bad-news bearers  —  Schilling is pounded, ragged Sox are blasted, and Nixon is injured  —  The bad news came in gale-force waves for the Red Sox yesterday, and whatever legerdemain Theo Epstein is able to pull off before today's 4 p.m. trading deadline may not be enough to soften all the blows …

Willis' suitors down to deadline  —  PHILADELPHIA - Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria was adamant Saturday when he said pitcher Dontrelle Willis would not be traded.  —  That loyalty to his highest-paid player and most marketable pitcher will be tested, right until today's 4 p.m. trade deadline.

Thompson gets emergency start  —  San Diego (55-49) at Colorado (49-54), 12:05 p.m. PT  —  With Chan Ho Park sidelined indefinitely by what was diagnosed as anemia, Mike Thompson is expected to get the call yet again as the emergency starter, arriving via Portland, where he has spent the past 10 days with the Triple-A Beavers.

O'Connor can't hold early lead for Nats  —  Team drops second straight in LA despite Johnson's tater  —  LOS ANGELES — It seems simple what the Nationals want out of left-hander Mike O'Connor: They want him to locate his pitches and throw strikes.  But O'Connor had problems doing …

Indians trade Belliard to Cardinals for Luna  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals improved their infield Sunday, acquiring second baseman Ronnie Belliard from Cleveland for Hector Luna in the latest move by the underachieving Indians.  —  Belliard, an All-Star in 2004 …

Shealy looks gone by trade deadline  —  Ryan Shealy may finally get his wish to contribute to the Rockies' playoff push - by landing Colorado a bullpen reinforcement.  —  Kansas City and Pittsburgh continue to pursue Shealy, and he remains on the back burner for Baltimore and the New York Yankees …

It looks as if Maddux won't be on the move  —  Offers for veteran not suitable to Hendry  —  Greg Maddux looked up in surprise as a group of reporters surrounded his locker Sunday following the Cubs' 6-3 victory over St. Louis.  —  "Ain't nothing going on," said Maddux …

Reds acquire Cormier to bolster bullpen  —  The Reds, continuing efforts to bolster their bullpen, acquired left-hander Rheal Cormier from the Phillies on Monday for right-hander Justin Germano, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Cormier, 39, becomes the fourth reliever added …

Yankees finally have pitching options  —  The Yankees?  Too much pitching?  —  Well, maybe.  —  The Red Sox's surplus of starting pitching almost certainly will lead to a trade, and the Yankees could be in a similar position if right-handers Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright stay healthy.