Mets eye Orioles Aubrey Huff, Nats Nick Johnson?. Adding a big bat before the July 31 trade deadline is emerging as a Mets priority, and finding one at first base would seem easier — and more practical — than from a less flexible outfielder. Aubrey Huff is an intriguing possibility because of his versatility (he can play third base and right field) and his power (32 homers last season), more so perhaps than Nick Johnson of Washington, who will almost certainly be dealt. — NY Times

Red Sox Papelbon open to pitching in Bronx Bombers. Though he’s under contract until 2011, Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon said yesterday he would be willing to sign anywhere, including with the New York Yankees, if he and the Sox cannot agree to a long-term deal. “Not only the Bronx, but anywhere, I think anywhere is a possibility,” Papelbon said in a Sirius XM radio interview, according to a weei.com transcript. “You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can’t just be one-sided and think that, ‘Oh I’m going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career.’ Because nowadays that is very, very rare. . . . There’s no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform, but I have to do what’s best for me and play in an atmosphere where I’m wanted and play on a team where I’m wanted and that’s all I can really say about that, you know?” — Boston Herald

Yanks scout Pedro Martinez. The Yankees will be among a handful of teams scouting Pedro Martinez’s workout in the Dominican Republic on Friday. Since the Yankees had personnel working on another matter in the Dominican, they are curious enough to attend Martinez’s session. — NY Times

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