Randy Johnson remained with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The New York Yankees desperately wanted him, and instead wound up trading Jose Contreras to the Chicago White Sox for Estaban Loaiza in a swap of starting pitchers.

With more than 20 teams still in the playoff hunt, a lot of clubs were eager for action. The NL West-leading Dodgers were active again.

After Steve Finley agreed to accept a deal to Los Angeles, the Diamondbacks traded the four-time Gold Glove center fielder with catcher Brent Mayne. The 39-year-old Finley hit .274 with 23 home runs and 48 RBIs for Arizona.

In other trades:

•Florida acquired starting pitcher Ismael Valdez and reliever Rudy Seanez. The World Series champions sent minor league pitcher Travis Chick to San Diego for Valdez and dealt outfielder Abraham Nunez to Kansas City for Seanez.

•AL West-leading Texas got pitcher Scott Erickson and cash from the New York Mets for a player to be named.

Starting late Saturday afternoon, teams can still make trades, but it becomes a more tricky process. Players must pass through waivers – meaning any other club can claim them – before a deal.

Teams have until Aug. 31 to acquire players in order for them to be eligible for the postseason.

AP-ES-07-31-04 1844EDT