Cashman, brass to talk contract  —  NOTEBOOK  —  NEW YORK — Brian Cashman's contract as Yankees general manager is up after the season, and Hank Steinbrenner intends to discuss an extension while Cashman is in Tampa, Fla., this week.  —  “We're going to be talking about it,” said Steinbrenner, the team's co-chairperson.

Rays will choose Beckham at No. 1  —  Tampa Bay opts for talented Georgia high school shortstop  —  BOSTON — Tim Beckham will be No. 1.  —  The Rays, holding the first overall selection in today's First-Year Player Draft, will select the talented high school shortstop from Griffin, Ga. …

Coco Shows Some Fire  —  During last night's game between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, Coco Crisp tried to steal second base in the 6th inning.  When he tried to slide into second, Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett put his knee down in front of the bag, which is a no-no since someone can get seriously hurt.

BA's 2008 Final Mock First Round  —  Rays will take Tim Beckham No. 1 overall  —  Signability concerns made for a wild night before the draft.  Florida State catcher Buster Posey's asking price suddenly jumped to $12 million and Missouri righthander Aaron Crow's target became $10 million …

D-Rays On Beckham (or, Money Changes Everything)  —  As we close in on midnight, the draft is still, well, pretty much a mess, but there looks to be some direction finally with the Rays at number one overall.  It's not because they've made a decision on who is the best player …

Mariners losing games, postgame refreshments  —  SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners front office and coaching staff, infuriated and embarrassed about the team's performance this season, decided Wednesday it was time to make the players accountable for having the worst record in baseball.

Harper: Joba moving, doubt rising  —  You can feel the concern creeping into the Yankee clubhouse.  By now the Yankees are practically the home office for slow starts, but the players are all too aware that improved pitching throughout the American League East means it won't be so easy to bludgeon their way to the top this year.

Jeter now third on Yanks' all-time hits list  —  No. 2,416 scores a run and carries shortstop past Mantle  —  NEW YORK — Derek Jeter stood at first base, reluctant to doff his batting helmet and acknowledge the roaring Yankee Stadium crowd.  —  He was even more hesitant …

Draft 2008: Pirates set to pick Alvarez  —  Next step: Sign Vanderbilt star to contract by Aug. 15  —  When the Pirates' turn comes in Major League Baseball's draft this afternoon, according to multiple sources, they plan to use their No. 2 overall choice to take Vanderbilt University third baseman Pedro Alvarez.

Skipworth may be draft catch for Florida  —  ATLANTA - Not since taking Charles Johnson at their inaugural draft in 1992 have the Marlins selected an amateur catcher with their first pick.  —  Kyle Skipworth could end that drought this afternoon when baseball convenes its June talent bazaar for the 44th time.

What's gone wrong with Yankees' Robinson Cano?  —  Two years ago, Robinson Cano's bid to win the American League batting title went down to the final weekend of the season.  Reminded of that yesterday afternoon, the Yankees' 25-year-old second baseman leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

SHEPPARD IMPROVING  —  Public-address announcer Bob Sheppard's health is improving, and the 97-year-old Yankee Stadium icon could be in his familiar seat in time for the All-Star Game on July 15, Yankees COO Lonn Trost told The Post yesterday.  —  “We've spoken to Bob, and with a little luck he'll be there …

Buzzkill  —  Having Corey Patterson in the lineup and hearing Dusty say he's going to use him a lot drowned any excitement I could have had about winning yesterday.  Toothpick said he had wanted Patterson to have more time down in AAA to “get his swing back” but the Reds had no choice to call him up.

White Sox sign RHP Loaiza  —  CHICAGO (TICKER) —Esteban Loaiza is back with the Chicago White Sox.  —  The 36-year-old righthander on Wednesday signed a one-year contract with the White Sox through the 2008 season.  —  Loaiza's best season came with the White Sox in 2003 …