1.   Among the Yankees being mentioned in a deal for Alou and Lima are outfielder Ricky Ledee, top infield prospect Alfonso Soriano and a minor-league pitching prospect.

2.   But he also was a top infield prospect and was drafted in the fifth round by the Detroit Tigers.

3.   Sources said the Dodgers and Boston Red Sox are working on a deal to send Valdes to Boston for pitcher Jin Ho Cho and infield prospect Adam Everett.

4.   The Dodgers tried to trade him to Boston earlier this spring, but the Red Sox refused to part with a marginal minor-league infield prospect.

5.   To obtain Everett, the Mets parted with Quilvio Veras, who was considered one of their top infield prospects.

6.   Veras is the infield prospect the Mets traded to Florida to obtain Carl Everett during the off-season.