Latest trade talk on Washburn, Halladay, Lee, Martinez and others … Knowing their chances remain slim for superstar pitcher Roy Halladay and even slimmer for star pitcher Cliff Lee, the Yankees called the pitching-strong Mariners on Saturday to inquire about their status as buyer or seller.

BERNAZARD FIRED  —  The Mets haved fired Tony Bernazard, the Post has learned.  GM Omar Minaya will make that official this afternoon at a press conference.  —  Reached by phone, Bernazard did not want to comment on the situation.  But a second source has now also confirmed his removal to me

Yankees, Reds Working On Arroyo Deal  —  The Yankees are in serious discussions with the Reds about acquiring Bronson Arroyo, although right now the deal may be hinging on how much of Arroyo's remaining contract the Reds are willing to eat, major league sources told FanHouse on Monday.

Selig mulling pardon for Rose  —  Rickey Henderson (second from left) accepts his Cooperstown plaque with (from l.)  Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson, HOF chairperson Jane Forbes Clark and Bud Selig.  —  COOPERSTOWN - Thanks to the behind-the-scenes lobbying from some of the most influential Hall …

Tazawa gets a promotion  —  The Sea Dogs leave on a road trip after learning their top starting pitcher is headed to Triple-A.  —  PORTLAND — The Sea Dogs knew they were not going to hold on to pitcher Junichi Tazawa much longer.  —  Word finally arrived Sunday.  Tazawa, 23, has been promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Garko traded to Giants for Class A lefty  —  First baseman Ryan Garko has been traded from the Indians to the Giants for Class A left-hander Scott Barnes.  —  Garko had been in the Tribe's lineup at designated hitter but was yanked about an hour before the first pitch against the Angels at Angel Stadium.

Carpenter wraps up undefeated month as Cards tame Dodgers  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Chris Carpenter (FSY) wrapped up an undefeated month, Brendan Ryan (FSY) matched a career high with four hits and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1 on Monday night.

Red Sox 8, Athletics 3  —  BOSTON (AP) — Josh Beckett became the American League's first 12-game winner and the Boston Red Sox snapped out of a slump with 14 hits in an 8-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night.  —  Beckett (12-4) struck out 10 before leaving after Scott Hairston's leadoff triple …

Not appearing in Rumor Central  —  We present the majors leaguers with the least trade value  —  As we all wait and maybe hope for a Roy Halladay trade, let's take a pause and generate a list of the anti-Halladays: the players no team would want to trade for.

The A's are losing again, and Billy Beane's radical Moneyball legacy is suffering  —  To the glee of his adversaries, Billy Beane and the Oakland A's are having a rough go of it these days in the standings and in Hollywood.  But the cultural war rooted in Beane's “Moneyball” philosophies was fought and won a long time ago.

Villanueva to start tomorrow  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Brewers manager Ken Macha seemed surprised today when reporters were surprised that he named Carlos Villanueva as his starter for the game Tuesday night against Washington.  —  Really?

Angels' ‘machine’ breaks down in ninth  —  Brian Fuentes, their seemingly automatic closer, blows a save for first time since May 30, giving up four runs on consecutive homers as Indians win, 8-6.  —  It had been so long since Brian Fuentes had given up a run, let alone blown a save …