Report: Yankees Interested in Belle

Imagine Albert Belle having to deal with the New York media. It could eventually happen. A trade that would have sent bell from the Chicago White Sox to the New York Yankees was discussed before Thursday’s trading deadline.

“The Yankees approached us and asked about Albert Belle,” White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf said. “And we said, ‘No, thank you.’ ”

Reports in New York, meanwhile, indicated that it was the White Sox who called the Yankees. Whichever, there was no deal.

But with Belle carrying a high price tag, it’s not likely that any team would claim him if the White Sox put him on waivers, meaning a trade is possible.

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Hideki Irabu, in his second stint with Yankee triple-A affiliate Columbus Clippers, did not give up a run in seven innings in a 7-0 victory over Rochester at Columbus, Ohio. Irabu threw 90 pitches, striking out four, walking one and giving up three hits. . . . Bret Saberhagen pitched 3 1/3 hitless innings in his second rehabilitation start with the Trenton Thunder, a double-A team for the Boston Red Sox. Saberhagen threw 51 pitches, 32 for strikes, struck out five and did not give up a run. . . . The Cleveland Indians dropped former American League batting champion Julio Franco and right-handed pitcher David Weathers from the active roster. . . . The Minnesota Twins said they have agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Greg Swindell for a one-year contract extension. Terms were not disclosed.