Alex Rodriguez

Brian Cashman left no wiggle room yesterday in reiterating that the New York Yankees will not negotiate with Alex Rodriguez if he exercises the opt-out clause in his contract next month. Cashman has repeatedly said that it would be his recommendation not to negotiate with Rodriguez if he opts out of the contract, as the Yankees would lose the $22 million subsidy from the Texas Rangers over the next three seasons. However, Cashman acknowledged last week that even though he is the general manager, other people have stakes in the decision (i.e.

Quote: "I'm not disappointed, because I'd been thinking of hanging it up, anyway. I'd rather go out on a more positive note than getting released." - Ken Hill, released by the Angels after going 5-7 with a 6.52 ERA in 16 games in the final season of a three-year, $16.05 million contract It's a fact: Former Twins outfielder Kirby Puckett will work the first three games of the series with the Devil Rays as a radio broadcaster. Who's hot: The Mariners' Nos. 3-4-5 hitters - Alex Rodriguez, Edgar Martinez and John Olerud - went 22-for-48 (.458)

Who's hot Carlos Lee of the White Sox is 7-for-8 over his past two games. Who's not Adam Dunn of the Reds is batting .158 (6-for-38) since being named to the All-Star team June 30. Line of the day Raul Ibanez, Royals 1B AB R H RBI HR 4 3 2 7 2 On deck Ted Lilly makes his Athletics debut tonight, facing the Devil Rays. He said it "We're playing well, but we still haven't perfected our style of play." Alex Rodriguez, Rangers shortstop, after the team lost for the fifth time in six games ORIOLES Today MARINERS 7:05 p.m. CSN Tue. MARINERS 12:35 p.m. CSN Wed. @ BLUE JAYS 7:05 p.m. CSN Thu. @ BLUE JAYS 7:05 p.m. Ch. 54 Fri. WHITE SOX 7:05 p.m. CSN Sat. WHITE SOX 7:05 p.m. Chs. 54, 50 Sun. WHITE SOX 1:35 p.m. Chs. 13, 50 Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM)

ARLINGTON, Texas - Alex Rodriguez, whose $252 million contract is the richest in the history of American professional sports, said yesterday that he would not oppose a trade if Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks decided that would help restore the team to a championship level. "If the Rangers found they could be better off without me - whether now or a year or two down the road - I'd be willing to sit down and talk," the seven-time All-Star shortstop said. But Hicks said he was "absolutely" satisfied with the value Rodriguez has delivered, even though the Rangers are 189-242 (.439)

At Oriole Park at Camden Yards Day Time TV Starters Tonight 7:05 CSN Carl Pavano (4-6, 4.69) vs. Daniel Cabrera (5-7, 5.54) Tomorrow 7:05 CSN Chien-Ming Wang (4-3, 4.31) vs. Sidney Ponson (7-5, 5.42) Wednesday 7:05 CSN Mike Mussina (8-5, 3.95) vs. Hayden Penn (2-1, 6.07) Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM) Yankees update It might be time for owner George Steinbrenner to issue another statement. His team had lost four games in a row and five of six before winning last night, failing to take advantage of the Orioles' skid.

Good morning -- Alex Rodriguez -- So you won't be playing center? For what the Yankees pay you, maybe you could subcontract the job. Question of the day If the Colts have clinched home field throughout the playoffs, should they still try to go undefeated? Absolutely! Records were made to be broken. Heck, in 2001 when Barry Bonds stroked his 71st homer, did he pack up his B-12-filled syringe and go home before blasting two more? Brian Hirsch Clarksville The concept in the realm of professional football is for athletes (and coaches)

Pitches -- His stuff is below average. He throws 86, 87 [mph]. He can hit 91, but he doesn't pitch there, more like 84 to 88. He has a good changeup and a curveball he'll throw at any time. He throws a lot of cutters, and the ball can break either way. Attitude -- He's got great [guts]. He doesn't know that [Alex Rodriguez] is out there or [Derek] Jeter. He doesn't care. He's been successful because he gets ahead of hitters and usually pitches down in the strike zone. Overall -- He's one of those borderline fifth starters.

Wei-Yin Chen's major league debut started out terrible and ended unfortunately. In the middle, the 26-year-old Taiwanese lefty was fantastic. His debut started badly when he gave up a leadoff homer to Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher followed with a long double. Two batters later, Chen plunked Alex Rodriguez. But then Chen settled down and retired 12 in a row. He didn't allow another run until the sixth. He loaded the bases with two singles and a walk, then Andruw Jones hit a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2. Russell Martin then hit a routine grounder to third, but Mark Reynolds, who we all know has had his troubles there, couldn't handle it. The ball bounced off his chest, and Mark Teixeira scored.

Sunday was the first time Camden Yards had hosted a postseason game in 15 years, and so, of course, the Orioles' fans had to wait just a little longer. First pitch came at 8:41 p.m., thanks to a two-hour, 26-minute rain delay. The first pitch was a 94 mph fastball from Jason Hammel to New York Yankees leadoff hitter Derek Jeter. It was called a strike by home plate ump Tony Randazzo. Jeter had the game's first hit, a single up the middle, and the first run scored, when he raced home on Ichiro Suzuki's RBI double in the first.