If Brad Radke’s excited about the prospect of pitching for the Yankees and the Mets, he’s hiding it very well.

“Right now everything’s on hold,” the Minnesota right-hander said last night before the Twins’ 6-1 victory over the Yankees at the Stadium. “Whatever happens, I’m sure it will turn out positive.”

That’s the attitude his teammates (for now) have. Radke has been mentioned in trade rumors for years, rumors that intensified during the spring. The Twins have the American League’s lowest payroll and aren’t expected to be a factor. Moving Radke before the July trading deadline would bring them some new prospects for their continual rebuilding process. And while Minnesota has gotten off to a respectable start – it was 10-11 entering last night’s game – the Twins players are somewhat resigned to losing their ace.

“We’d be fine without him,” said second baseman Todd Walker. “We have to take that approach. He’s definitely one of the better pitchers out there, but we can’t put our whole season on him. If we do, then when, or if, he gets traded, we would just give up. We believe that we can win with whoever’s on the field – whether Brad is one of us or not.”

That certainly isn’t to say that anyone is ready to show Radke the door. This season, Radke is 2-2 with a 4.76 ERA, and while those numbers don’t sparkle, he is still one of the hottest commodities around. But after as much time as Radke has spent with his future in doubt, he claims the uncertainty no longer bothers him.

“Everyone kept thinking [the situation] would be settled by the start of the season,” said Radke, who will be a free agent after this year. “Even today, I don’t know what’s going to happen. But like I said, I don’t even think about it anymore. It would be different if I did, then I could see my pitching being bothered.”