Ken Davidoff's 7th-inning stretch

Deadline difficulties

Times have changed, Frank Cashen noted Saturday in a telephone interview.

"Now every time you make a trade, as I understand it, you have to talk to ownership and the agents," the Mets' renowned former general manager said. "And a couple of bean counters get into the conversation."

Indeed, to choose two of countless examples, current Mets GM Omar Minaya communicates many, many times daily with Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. And in the Bronx, Brian Cashman apprises Hal Steinbrenner of every dip and turn in the Dan Haren trade negotiations.

Whereas, when Cashen acquired Keith Hernandez for Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey on the old deadline of June 15, 1983, "I told [owners Fred Wilpon and Nelson Doubleday] after I consummated the deal." That is amazing.

The whole Hernandez trade - perhaps the best trade in Mets history - took about 24 hours to execute, Cashen recalled. "What happened was, [former Mets GM] Joe McDonald was in St. Louis [as a front-office executive]. He called me and said, 'Frank, have you ever thought about trading Neil Allen?'

"I said, 'No, why the hell would I trade him? He's a successful pitcher, and he contributes here.'

"He said, 'If you talk about Neil Allen, we'll talk about Keith Hernandez.' I said, 'Let's talk.' "

Cashen, Dwight Gooden, Davey Johnson and Darryl Strawberry will be inducted into the Mets' Hall of Fame a week from Sunday, before the Mets' game against Arizona at Citi Field. On Saturday, July 31, the four men will be part of a pregame charity reception. A tax-deductible donation of $325 - benefiting the Mets Foundation - includes entry to this reception, a ticket for that night's Mets game and food and beverage.

Those interested can call 718-803-4074 or go to Mets.com/HallofFame.

For richer or poorer

Here's the essence of this final week, leading into the non-waivers trade deadline: The Diamondbacks are strapped for cash, many in the industry believe, and the Astros aren't. Arizona ownership wants to unload Dan Haren. Houston ownership wants to keep Roy Oswalt.

So Arizona's asking price for Haren figures to drop. Whereas Houston's asking price on Oswalt will go down only if Oswalt pleads with Astros owner Drayton McLane for his freedom. But if Oswalt really wants out, he'll probably need to drop his demand of having his 2012 team option (for $16 million) picked up, in return for waiving his no-trade clause.

Chicago Joe?

It's early, and I reserve the right to change my mind. Right now, however, I'm predicting that Joe Torre will be the Cubs' manager in 2011. Here's why:

1. I can't see Joe Girardi leaving the Yankees, even for his childhood dream job. Girardi is in just too good a spot in the Bronx, with tremendous support from ownership.

2. Torre appears as good as gone in Los Angeles, where he is fed up with the ugly divorce of Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt.

3. New Cubs owner Tom Ricketts appears to want to make a splash as he replaces the retiring Lou Piniella, and will go against the current grain of paying less for managers. Torre, 70, brings major cache as a potential "face of the franchise."

4. After managing the Yankees and Dodgers, the Cubs will give Torre another "legendary team" on his resume. The Cubs' unbalanced schedule would allow Torre to visit St. Louis and Milwaukee three times each per season - he is beloved in both places - and also Cincinnati, where his wife, Ali, has much family, thrice annually.

The Boss, animated

George Steinbrenner is a character in the upcoming animated film, "Henry & Me." As a matter of fact, Hank Steinbrenner did the voice of his dad.

With The Boss' passing, executive producer Ray Negron, an adviser for the Yankees, said some tweaks will be made to the film to reflect the current reality.

Pop quiz

Name the former Yankees pitcher who served as a color commentator for a professional hockey team.

ANSWER BELOW

Potentially available bats

Adam Dunn, Washington. Unless the Nationals surprise everyone and secure impending free agent Dunn to a long-term deal.

Corey Hart, Milwaukee. But since he has another year before free agency, the price will be high.

Ty Wigginton, Baltimore. A strong likelihood to be dealt.

Teams on the bubble

Mets. Would it be worth it for them to sacrifice prospects?

Boston. The injury-plagued Red Sox will look to buy now, but not if the prices are too high.

Oakland. The Athletics won't be trading Ben Sheets now that he's on the DL with an elbow injury.

Soul-crusher of the week: The Mets' brutal, 14-inning loss to Arizona that started Wednesday night and concluded Thursday morning.

Retirement of the week: Lou Piniella. The baseball world won't be the same without Sweet Lou.

Quote of the week: "Ralph learned leadership the hardest way possible: seeing his friends and comrades die around him in the Battle of the Bulge."

- Tony Kubek, speaking to The New York Times about former Yankees manager Ralph Houk, who passed away this past week.

Pop quiz answer

Fritz Peterson announced for the New York Raiders of the World Hockey Association during the 1972-73 season. Thanks to Barry Newman of East Meadow for the suggestion.