According to ESPN, Shawn Chacon has been dealt to the Pirates for Craig Wilson.

The Yankees and Phillies have reached a tentative deal that would send right fielder Bobby Abreu to New York.

While neither team is optimistic that Barry Zito will be dealt, both the Yankees and Mets sent scouts to watch his start on Saturday.

If Scott Proctor is included by the Yankees in a Bobby Abreu deal, it is likely that they will make a separate move in order to pick up another reliever.

The Yankees moved closer last night to landing Bobby Abreu, according to sources, as the field for the Phillies outfielder was narrowed to just three teams - with the Bombers believed to have the best chance of landing him.

The Yankees and Phillies still are talking about Bobby Abreu, and the latest has the clubs discussing a bigger deal that could include veteran starter Jon Lieber.

Greg Maddux has agreed to go to a contender, perhaps even to New York, which previously was believed to be off limits.

On Wednesday, the Yankees were informed by the Braves that a deal for infielder Wilson Betemit wouldn't get done unless the Yankees included Scott Proctor.

The Yankees acquired catcher Sal Fasano from the Phillies on Wednesday for minor league second baseman Hector Made.

Someone very familiar with the discussions confirmed to the Atlanta Journal Constitution on Wednesday that the Braves and Yankees are discussing a deal that would bring reliever Scott Proctor to Atlanta for Wilson Betemit, first reported this morning by the New York Post.

The New York Yankees will refuse to allow top pitching prospect Phil Hughes to play for the U.

While it is appearing increasingly unlikely that Barry Zito, Dontrelle Willis or Jason Schmidt will be dealt, the Yankees have inquired about several mid-level pitchers including Arizona's Miguel Batista and Baltimore's Rodrigo Lopez, according to sources.

All indications on Tuesday were that the market for Alfonso Soriano remained hot, with the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox among the teams interested.

Alex Rodriguez received support from an unlikely source on Monday, as Rudy Giuliani came to the defense of the Yankees' third baseman.

Two industry sources indicate that Jason Schmidt is not expected to be dealt, but could be made available if the Giants are blown away with an offer.

Whether or not Alex Rodriguez is mentally fit to play in New York continues to be a hot button issue, but the Yankees strenuously denied that he would be dealt.

Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon was scratched from the starting lineup of the Yankees' 6-2 victory at Texas on Monday night because of a sore back.

New York Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui is making progress in his comeback from a broken left wrist but still isn't ready to take batting practice.

The Phillies have rejected the Yankees' bid for outfielder Bobby Abreu because it didn't include major league-ready talent or top prospect Phil Hughes.

Alex Rodriguez's three-run home run against Toronto's A.

After being told about trade rumors printed in the Wallstreet Journal that would send third baseman Alex Rodriguez to the Phillies, the Yankees star laughed.

According to two people who have spoken with George Steinbrenner, his top choice to boost the Yankees' offense is Washington's Alfonso Soriano.

The New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals are speculated to be discussing a deal involving K.

The Yankees are hoping for good news about Alex Rodriguez's big toe.

One Venezuelan acquaintance of Bobby Abreu said the Philadelphia right fielder would like to come to New York, where he has a residence, but another countryman said Abreu seeks a contract extension through 2011 in order to waive his no-trade clause.

The Yankees have expressed some interest in Arizona right fielder Shawn Green, who can veto a trade to anywhere other than San Diego and the Los Angeles teams.

With the souvenir ball from his 400th save nestled gently in the pocket of his mitt, Mariano Rivera got a warm hug from a grateful Joe Torre and flashed his proudest smile.

Yankees reliever Octavio Dotel threw a scoreless inning Saturday night in his first minor league rehabilitation appearance since being shut down last month because of inflammation in his surgically repaired right elbow.

The Yankees have talked with Oakland about acquiring outfielder Jay Payton, The Post has learned.

The White Sox arrived in New York to rumors that GM Ken Williams has been shopping Javier Vazquez and Freddy Garcia.

The post office hopes to hit a grand slam by honoring four of baseball's great sluggers on postage.

Two sources confirmed to The Post that the Mets recently contacted Phillies GM Pat Gillick to say that if Bobby Abreu, closer Tom Gordon or starter Jon Lieber are made available before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, they would surely be interested.

RHP Sidney Ponson is about to get another chance, this time with the Yankees.

Bud Selig defended Major League Baseball's drug-testing program on Tuesday and insisted the toughened policy is working, and later touched on recent scandals set off by Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco, and Jason Grimsley.

Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner is optimistic about his team entering the second half of the season.

New York Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon isn't expected to return to the starting lineup until after the All-Star break because of a right side injury.

The Yankees have had internal discussions about designating Shawn Chacon for assignment, according to sources, in the hope that they could send him to the minors (because of his service time, Chacon can't be optioned).

According to George Steinbrenner, it's up to general manager Brian Cashman to make the Yankees better before the July 31 trading deadline.

The Yankees on Wednesday claimed outfielder Aaron Guiel off waivers from the Royals.

The Yankees need both pitching and hitting and now Joe Torre has his mind set on what he'd like Brian Cashman to bring in.

Victor Martinez went 5-for-6 and Jhonny Peralta and Travis Hafner each hit two of Cleveland's six home runs, powering the Indians to a 19-1 rout of New York on Tuesday night to spoil George Steinbrenner's Fourth of July birthday.

The Yankees have signed 16-year-old Venezuelan catcher Jesus Montero to a $2 million deal, according to published reports Tuesday.