Scott Boras says the New York Yankees could still negotiate with Alex Rodriguez if they wanted to. Boras maintained Wednesday that the Yankees should treat A-Rod the same way they deal with reliever Mariano Rivera and catcher Jorge Posada, who also are free agents. "Why is it that Alex is the only Yankee who can't become a free agent?" Boras said Wednesday. "That question was not answered, and we think it's a question that's going to be asked for years to come." The Yankees had repeatedly said that they wouldn't negotiate with Rodriguez if he opted out because they would lose the subsidy the Texas Rangers agreed to as part of the 2004 trade that sent A-Rod to New York. Rodriguez terminated his contract on Sunday. "We were very sincere and honest and direct with Scott Boras. ... It's a lot of money -- to any franchise, even the New York Yankees," general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday. "It was just a representation of simple economics: $30 million is nothing to sneeze at." New York was owed $21.3 million from Texas over the final three years of Rodriguez's contract, which also called for the Rangers to pay him $3 million annually in money to be deferred.

Andy Pettitte said during the season that he would either return to the Yankees or retire. But with all the Yankees' recent changes, it would have been reasonable to wonder if he was having second thoughts. Pettitte nixed the idea that he might play elsewhere next year, in an interview with Houston's FOX 26 Sports (KRIV). The story was posted on the TV station's Web site. He told KRIV that he will either play for the Yankees next year or not at all.

Joe Girardi brushed aside Hank Steinbrenner's plea for patience with the 2008 Yankees, making it clear that his goal for his rookie season as the Bombers' manager was the same as it has always been: a championship. "I expect to be playing in the Fall Classic next October," Girardi said. "I think that's everyone's expectation. You do everything you possibly can to get there and then you see where you are." Girardi was introduced as the 32nd manager in Yankees' history, speaking with reporters on a conference call after signing a three-year contract worth roughly $8 million.

Center fielders Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand, two of the most attractive free agents on the market, were among more than two dozen players the Astros contacted during the first two days of the free-agent filing period. The Astros made preliminary contact with the agents for Hunter and Rowand but can't discuss money with free agents from other teams until the 15-day period expires. "We'd like to figure out a way to either get a center fielder that would allow us to move (Hunter) Pence to right, (or) if it ended up being a corner outfielder and leaving Hunter in center, that's one of the areas we'd like to address," said Wade, who has had trade talks with teams for established outfielders.

Baseball teams regularly receive up to nearly two days' notice before drug testing of players, The New York Times reported on its web site Tuesday. Officials of home teams are notified in advance to leave stadium and parking passes for the testers. Rob Manfred, baseball's executive vice president for labor relations, and players' union general counsel Michael Weiner were quoted as saying players are not given advance notice of tests and that it was not an issue. "This is scandalous that anyone would insert this kind of loophole in a system and not include it in the written regulations," John Hoberman, a doping expert, was quoted as saying. "They are opening the door to serious doubts about the integrity of the program."

Early indicators suggest the Mets are leaning toward a full courtship of Alex Rodriguez, pending David Wright's blessing. This is no small obstacle, since ownership is wary of offending their most marketable and loyal star. "We already have a third baseman," is what one high-ranking official said on Monday. Club officials plan to ask Wright if he still feels that way. As of Monday night, the Mets' third baseman was noncommittal, waiting to hear from ownership. "Nobody has talked to me about any free agents," Wright wrote in a text message. "I would want to speak with Jeff [Wilpon] and Omar [Minaya] first." "We can afford him," one Met insider said confidently. "It's going to be a baseball question more than a money question. Do we want him? Is he a good fit for one team? That's what we have to talk about."

The Los Angeles Dodgers have decided to fire manager Grady Little and replace him with former Yankees manager Joe Torre, The Journal News has learned. Torre, 67, could be named manager in the next 24 hours, according to two sources close to the situation. Don Mattingly is expected to accompany Torre to Los Angeles as his bench coach. Torre is also interested in hiring Kevin Long, his hitting coach with the Yankees. But the Yankees are hoping to retain Long as a coach under soon-to-be-named new manager Joe Girardi. The Dodgers were 82-80 this season under Little and were beset by clubhouse unrest. Owner Frank McCourt, a Boston native, decided Torre is best suited to quell that situation. It is expected that Torre will receive at least a three-year contract.

A deal to bring Mariano Rivera back to the Bronx may be in the works, as the All-Star closer and his agent are meeting with the Yankees Tuesday at Legends Field. Fernando Cuza, who represents Rivera, showed up at the Yankees' spring ballpark around 11:45 a.m., accompanied by two of his associates. Ten minutes later, Rivera arrived by himself in a black Mercedes. When asked if he was meeting with the Yankees, Rivera said, "Yeah. We have to see something." Rivera declined further comment, telling reporters he would elaborate on his way out of the ballpark. Rivera was one of five Yankees to file for free agency on Monday, the first day players were allowed to do so. The Yankees are expected to offer Rivera a three-year deal worth approximately $40 million.