INSIDE THE AL: BROWN BOOSTS YANKEES.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Oddly enough, the New York Yankees got their best dose of news in weeks even as their last-minute pleas for Randy Johnson fell on deaf ears.

While Johnson was seen as a panacea in the Bronx, where a shaky pitching staff would seem to foretell playoff doom, the sting of failing to land the Big Unit was eased by several developments. Friday, Kevin Brown returned from a battle with parasites and a bad back to spearhead a 2-1 win over Baltimore. The club also learned first baseman Jason Giambi's disconcerting health problems were traced to a benign tumor and he could return soon.

Saturday, the Chicago White Sox did them a huge favor by handing them Esteban Loaiza for the well-paid and enigmatic Jose Contreras, though the Yankees will pick up a good portion of Contreras' salary.

But the key for the Yankees was the return of Brown, who, like Giambi, was also felled by an intestinal parasite. Antibiotics helped restore his sapped strength while his back mended.

He returned after nearly two months on the shelf by giving up one run in 6 1/3 innings, getting past perhaps the most discouraging period of his career.

``If you're 39 years old and you're feeling the way I'm feeling, it's hard not to look over your shoulder and wonder if this was the final straw,'' Brown said. ``You step back out there, you realize how much you missed it.''

Certainly, no one shed any tears for the Yankees, who entered Saturday 64-38. But the end is all that matters there, and with Mike Mussina due back from elbow pain soon, the Yankees could have their house back in order in time for the postseason.

``We're moving now,'' said Torre, perhaps sensing his club will play .800 ball by season's end.

--Difference of opinion: In a classic example of the chasm that can exist between a general manager and manager, Tampa Bay GM Chuck LaMar was thrilled the Devil Rays snagged left-handed pitching prospect Scott Kazmir from the New York Mets.

Field manager Lou Piniella was less enthused. It took away his best starting pitcher of today, Victor Zambrano.

``It's always good to look into the future, but there's got to come a time and point for this organization when you start looking for now,'' Piniella said. ``I can understand this trade, I really can. This young left-hander has a lot of potential. He's obviously talented. But, again, we're tying to win baseball games here. You don't win them on potential, you win them on talent on the field.''

Kazmir, however, could be special. He could be up by September and in the Devil Rays rotation by April. And the Devil Rays will save at least $3 million, which Zambrano will earn through arbitration.

Gabe Lacques, [phone]

gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com