An All-Star summer will take hold of New York City next year, and Yankee Stadium played host to a sneak glimpse on Tuesday.

The Yankees grew discouraged about their chances of landing Rangers closer Eric Gagne on Tuesday morning, an indication that the reliever could be headed to one of three other teams trying to acquire him — the Red Sox, Brewers or Mets — or nowhere at all.

The Dodgers and Yankees have agreed in principle on a trade that would send reliever Scott Proctor to the Dodgers for infielder Wilson Betemit, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Joe Torre’s club might miss the playoffs for the first time in his dozen years as the Yankees’ manager.

The Yankees were in discussions on Monday with the Dodgers about a trade of righthander Scott Proctor for infielder Wilson Betemit.

The Yankees are one of four finalists to acquire Rangers reliever Eric Gagne before Wednesday's 4 p.

With the clock ticking toward today's 1 p.

Jason Giambi told Johnny Damon that he is ready to come off the disabled list but don't look for him in The Bronx tomorrow night.

As of Sunday evening, it appeared the Yankees were content to call up Joba Chamberlain for the late-inning relief role and spend the next two days fishing around for a bench player or two unless something unforeseen falls into their laps between now and then.

Jose Canseco may have some "other stuff" on Alex Rodriguez that he plans to use in his next book, but Joe Torre and Johnny Damon had some stuff of their own to offer yesterday when informed of Canseco's latest comments.

A small buzz was created inside the Yankees' clubhouse yesterday afternoon when players were asked about the possibility of Johnny Damon and Kyle Farnsworth being shipped across the hall to the Orioles with the Yankees getting reliever Danys Baez, outfielder Corey Patterson and starter Steve Trachsel.

The Yankees and Mets join the Red Sox as the teams still trying to land Rangers closer Eric Gagne as the trade deadline nears, The Post has learned.

The last time Jose Canseco put pen to paper, all of baseball quaked.

With an off day Monday, Torre said he will skip the fifth starter this time through the rotation.

The Yankees have had serious discussions with the Rangers about reliever Eric Gagne, two major-league sources confirmed Friday night.

Kenji Johjima and Ichiro both expressed pleasant surprise in the clubhouse after overhearing a TV report about the Mariners' rumored trade interest in Yankees pitcher Kei Igawa, who is also Japanese.

The Yankees really want A's first baseman Dan Johnson, who they believe would become a better offensive player away from Oakland's pitcher-friendly park.

Over most of the last month, Barry Bonds has been tossing verbal bouquets toward Alex Rodriguez, but the praise stops at a point.

The Yankees reportedly are so motivated to trade right-handed reliever Kyle Farnsworth that they've offered to pay some of his $5.

Alex Rodriguez may have hit his 500th home run on Wednesday night.

A deal for Tampa Bay's Ty Wigginton is still a possibility, but the Devil Rays aren't budging from their demand for Scott Proctor.

Joba Chamberlain made his first start for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) last night, striking out 10 in five scoreless innings.

Because of Jose Contreras' declining velocity, Jon Garland has become increasingly popular and might bring the most value outside of Konerko, according to one American League scout.

According to multiple sources, the Tigers are looking to make a deal that would bring Kyle Farnsworth back to the team he pitched 46 games for in 2005.

The Yankees have been calling a few teams to see if they'd be interested in taking center fielder Johnny Damon off their hands.

George Brett had hefty praise for Alex Rodriguez this week.

With the trade deadline five days away, several teams would love to pry Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain or Ian Kennedy away from the Yankees, but Brian Cashman has no intention of dealing any of the three.

Alex Rodriguez moved within one of the 500-home run club, helping the Yankees get as close to the Red Sox as they've been in 2 1/2 months.

Two vitally important players to the Yankees’ future are pitchers Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes.

While the Rangers are pushing switch-hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira hard on the Yankees, they aren’t biting.

Potential moves before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline will be a major topic Tuesday when high-ranking Yankees officials are scheduled to meet in Florida with owner George Steinbrenner.

We are nearing the dog days of summer and as NFL training camps begin to open this week, which teams will heat up heading into August and which ones will begin to fold? With the trading deadline now less than 10 days away, read on to see who are top 10 are this week.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling is on the disabled list and not sure where he'll play next season.

The Yankees signed right-hander Scott Williamson to a minor league contract on Sunday.

Alex Rodriguez hit the 498th home run of his career Sunday, going deep against the Devil Rays to give the Yankees an 18-3 lead.

The Yankees swept a doubleheader from the Devil Rays, winning the opener 7-3 and then roaring to a 17-5 triumph in the nightcap at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.

Looking to bolster their bench, the Yankees acquired catcher Jose Molina from the Angels on Saturday night for minor league reliever Jeff Kennard.

Shelley Duncan, whose father and brother reached the majors, made his big league debut Friday night and hit an RBIs single for the Yankees in their 14-4 loss to the Devil Rays.

Alex Rodriguez signed copies of his children's book, sang "Do-Re-Mi" with his daughter, posed for paparazzi, and spoke in English and Spanish to a horde of camera crews before heading up to the Bronx for a tilt with the Devil Rays.

he Thunder pounded out 13 hits and got an assist for N.

The Mariners are looking for starting pitchers, and were hoping Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte might be available.

The Yankees, along with the Braves, Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Cubs, have expressed interest in Kansas City right-hander Zack Greinke, a pitcher who could also serve as a starter if they were to need one in a pinch.

Alex Rodriguez hit a go-ahead double in the seventh inning and the surging Yankees won their fifth straight game, beating the Blue Jays 6-1 on Wednesday night.

Former D-Backs first baseman Erubiel Durazo signed with the New York Yankees and will report to their Triple-A team in Scranton after getting his release from Monterrey, his summer team in the Mexican League.

The Yankees tried to acquire Wilson Betemit at last year's trade deadline for Scott Proctor, and they are making the same attempt again this year.

If anyone deserves credit for the Yankees' discovery of Edwar Ramirez, it's a computer.

Jason Giambi has been something of a forgotten man on the Yankees since he went on the disabled list June 1 with torn tissue in his left foot.

Joe Torre knows George Steinbrenner isn't happy with the Yankees' record.

A season that is shaping up to be Joe Torre's last with the Yankees also is proving to be his toughest.

Gary Sheffield isn't the only player who feels Joe Torre treated black players differently than white players, as Sheffield's former teammate, Kenny Lofton, chimed in with his thoughts yesterday before his Rangers played in Anaheim.

Jorge Posada, who on Thursday said he plans to explore free agency, did not mince his words Friday.

The Yankees' loss could be the Red Sox's gain this fall if Alex Rodriguez decides to opt out of his contract and become a free agent.

Jason Giambi met with George Mitchell on Friday, becoming the first active player known to talk with baseball's steroids investigator.

Gary Sheffield asserts black and white players are treated differently under Yankees manager Joe Torre, says Derek Jeter "ain't all the way black," and denies he ever has used steroids because "steroids is something you shoot in your butt" in an eye-opening interview with Andrea Kremer for the next edition of HBO's "Real Sports," debuting at 10 p.

The Yankees have a message for Alex Rodriguez: sign an extension before opting out of your contract, or don't sign with us at all.

There are some indications that the New York Yankees and GM Brian Cashman are interested in extending Alex Rodriguez's contract now in order to avoid the opt-out right that A-Rod will have after this season.

The Yankees apparently are ready to break tradition and open early contract negotiations with Alex Rodriguez.

The Yankees are willing to bend their own rules to keep Alex Rodriguez in pinstripes beyond this season.

The Yankees’ Phil Hughes will make his second rehabilitation start Friday in Trenton for the Class AA Thunder, the Yankees announced yesterday.

The Yankees sit 10 full games behind the Red Sox in the AL East, but the Bombers believe Boston can be caught in the second half.

For once, Alex Rodriguez found himself surrounded by media, answering questions about .

Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees held their own home run derby Sunday.

f the Yankees are out of contention the last week of July, is there any chance Alex Rodriguez would waive his no-trade clause to come to the Cubs or another contender? Brian Cashman should make his best offer to keep Rodriguez from exercising his early-out clause, and then try to trade him if he doesn't get a deal.

Alex Rodriguez plans to play in the All-Star game despite his strained left hamstring.

Alex Rodriguez was mired in an 0-for-19 slump and his left hamstring was sore, but there was no way he was going to miss Friday night's game against the Angels, not with his human get-well card on the mound.

With his save yesterday, Mariano Rivera tied John Franco for third all-time in career saves with 424.

One major league executive said there's "a pretty good chance" Bobby Abreu will attract interest from a National League team this month, assuming the Yankees are willing to pay a significant portion of the $10 million he's still owed.

Alex Rodriguez will not be in the starting lineup for Thursday's day game versus the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium.

There were no fireworks to enjoy from the Yankees in yesterday's listless 6-2 loss at the Stadium, but if you listened closely enough, you could hear the sound of an alarm bell coming from the vicinity of Alex Rodriguez's locker.

Alex Rodriguez hasn't decided whether he will play in Tuesday's All-Star game or use the three-day break to rest his strained hamstring.

Alex Rodriguez will not be waiving his no-trade clause under any circumstances this month.

Brian Cashman named pitchers Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain as prospects he wanted to keep, and there are others in the organization, including Alan Horne and Dellin Betances, who are also considered off limits.

Alex Rodriguez's day began badly, picked up and then got much worse yesterday.

Ashley Papelbon, the wife of Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon feels for her New York counterpart.

Now that Roger Clemens has his 350th win, Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees are worried about a more mundane number: 15 days on the disabled list.

No one can say the competitive fires do not rage inside Scott Proctor.

The wife of Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez wore a white tank top with foul language on the back when she attended a game against the Athletics.

Kyle Farnsworth's outburst Friday did not go unheeded by Joe Torre.