NASHVILLE – The Expos have requested Nick Johnson, Juan Rivera, Orlando Hernandez and that all of El Duque’s contract be paid in order to get Bartolo Colon or Javier Vazquez, and the Yankees last night rejected that offer.

Roger Clemens is still asking to be paid like a No. 1 starter and, initially, the Yanks have refused that appeal.

So, there actually is some possibility Hernandez, constantly on the trade block but not yet traded, might end up in a rotation with Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, Jeff Weaver and David Wells rather than Colon, Vazquez or Clemens.

Yankee GM Brian Cashman, who has yet to reveal to Expo counterpart Omar Minaya if he prefers Colon or Vazquez, had not made a counter-proposal as of last night.

But Cashman did tell Minaya he would not part with the three requested players and pay Hernandez’s salary. In fact, the Yanks are not inclined to include Hernandez in a trade unless it was with just Rivera or, perhaps, just with Johnson. The Yanks also would consider dealing Johnson and Rivera together in a deal.

Minaya has been trying to get the Yanks to move by indicating the Red Sox are serious suitors, and there is talk of a Shea Hillenbrand, Casey Fossum offer. But clubs that have spoken to the Red Sox say they are not interested in Colon or Vazquez.

There was talk the Marlins, of all teams, might be involved in a three-way scenario that would send Vazquez to Florida, third baseman Mike Lowell from Florida to the Cubs and starter Brad Penny from the Marlins to Montreal.

Even if Colon/Vazquez goes elsewhere, the Yanks still may not turn to Clemens, who has indicated he still wants the $10 million-plus of a No. 1 starter. The Yanks want to go more to the $8 million range.

The Yanks figure they are unlikely to get 30 starts out of either Clemens or Hernandez in 2003 for physical reasons, and do not expect either back in 2004. So while Clemens is more dependable, the Yanks might prefer to go with Hernandez and the huge financial savings.

“[Clemens] is on record as saying he would accept less to be a Yankee,” Cashman said after meeting yesterday with Clemens’ reps Alan and Randy Hendricks. “The question is how much less.”

Both Hendricks said Clemens’ priority remained staying a Yankee, but gave no indication he was willing to reduce his financial requests to make that happen.

“Whatever happens, happens,” Randy Hendricks said. “It’s not like we are not clear in understanding the position. But if he leaves New York, it is because it is their decision, not his.”