Yanks want to talk deal with A-Rod during season  —  The New York Yankees are willing to bend their own rules to keep Alex Rodriguez in pinstripes beyond this season.  —  The Yankees have changed their traditional stance and are now willing to negotiate during the season with their star third baseman …

Hafner gets 4-year, $57M extension  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 8 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Indians have signed designated hitter Travis Hafner to a four-year, $57 million contract extension, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Hafner, 30, was eligible for free agency after the 2008 season.

Ortiz' aching knee may need surgery  —  SAN FRANCISCO - A surgical procedure will "probably" be necessary to correct continued soreness in the right knee of David Ortiz [stats], the Red Sox [team stats]' designated hitter said yesterday.  —  Ortiz is expected to have an MRI performed …

Pujols angered at La Russa for All-Star benching  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Albert Pujols was angry about being left on the All-Star bench and the St. Louis slugger took aim at the National League manager — who just happened to be Tony La Russa of his own Cardinals.  —  "It's the All-Star Game.

Will Twins go after Johnson?  —  The Twins' four-game series against Oakland beginning Thursday evening in the Metrodome could be an audition for A's first baseman Dan Johnson, a Blaine High School graduate.  —  Insiders say the A's are intent on trading Johnson to make room for top …

Zito's Deal May Rank Among the All-Time Worst  —  For San Francisco Giants fans, last night's All-Star Game should have been a wonderful event, a chance to show off their beautiful ballpark and shower love on the twin pillars of their franchise — Barry Bonds, their unaccountably beloved left fielder …

Balmy Weather May Bench a Baseball Staple  —  RUSSELL, Pa. — Careers at stake with each swing, baseball players leave little to sport when it comes to their bats.  They weigh them.  They count their grains.  They talk to them.  —  But in towns like this one, in the heart of the mountain forests …

ICHIRO ACES INSIDE JOB  —  Ichiro Suzuki once again showed the world what a unique talent he is on the baseball field.  —  Ichiro's fifth-inning, two-run, inside-the-park homer was the key hit in the American League's 5-4 win last night in the 78th All-Star Game.

Ramirez named NL Player of the Week  —  Marlins shortstop hits .520 with three homers to cap first half  —  MIAMI — Most players are glad to see the All-Star break come, because it gives them a chance to rest, relax and visit family for a few days.  For Marlins opponents, however …

Milledge to play tonight in Troy?  In the words of the late Gilda Radner, never mind  —  UPDATE to UPDATE to UPDATE:  —  If you see Lastings Milledge, have him give me a call.  —  He is not in Troy tonight.  —  After hours of he's coming/maybe/no/yes/maybe, it turns …

Atlanta could witness Bonds' 756th HR  —  San Francisco — While Braves fans wait to see if the team can continue its recent resurgence after the All-Star break, here's a possible cringe-inducing scenario to think about regarding Barry Bonds.  —  What if the Giants slugger …

Blogger Beat: John Delcos  —  In this special midseason edition of Blogger Beat, we check in with John Delcos, who covers the Mets for the Journal News.  John was nice enough to answer a few quick questions about the state of our beloved orange 'n' blue.  —  All last season, we heard the same thing; "These guys play hard for Willie."

Union Gets Approval to Intervene in Steroids Case  —  The Major League Baseball Players Association won approval yesterday to intervene on the side of the United States attorney's office in San Francisco in the effort to prevent the names of current and former major league players …

Thrills abound despite You Know Who  —  SAN FRANCISCO — It was breathless by the Bay, a dust-churning downhill trolley, 360 feet of some of the coolest magic in All-Star game history.  —  I never saw it.  —  While Ichiro Suzuki was sprinting to his inside-the-park homer at the 78th All-Star game Tuesday …