Source: Sox appear likely to trade Wells … The Red Sox are shopping veteran pitcher David Wells, and a source familiar with the conversations has put the odds at "80-20 or 90-10" that Boston will trade him in the next 48 hours.  —  St. Louis, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego appear …

Marlins in market for a center fielder  —  ST. LOUIS — Don't be surprised if the Marlins trade for a center fielder this week.  —  The front office has held meetings the past few days about beefing up the lineup to make a run for a wild-card berth.  —  One option being pushed …

Oswalt, Astros agree to 5-year, $73 million extension  —  HOUSTON — Roy Oswalt got a $73 million birthday present from the Houston Astros.  —  The two-time 20-game winner agreed to a five-year, $73 million contract extension on his 29th birthday Tuesday, the biggest multiyear deal ever given to an Astros pitcher.

Extent of Pavano's injury unknown  —  Yanks will conduct own investigation into righty's car accident  —  NEW YORK — The official investigation into Carl Pavano's car accident is underway.  —  Police have already released their report, and now it's the Yankees' and general manager Brian Cashman's turn …

Who needs a big payroll?  Not the Marlins  —  The Marlins — yes, the Marlins — are trying to add a veteran reliever before the Aug. 31 deadline for setting postseason rosters.  —  Gotta love it.  —  The Marlins' $14.3 million payroll is the lowest in the majors, yet the team …

Skipper Hurdle pulls plug on Barmes  —  Character is admirable.  But as the Rockies have proved the past few weeks, even the best of men can be on the worst of teams.  Once on the verge of being a postseason threat, Colorado has plunged into the National League West basement, falling 10-5 to the New York Mets on Tuesday night.

Safety in numbers?  Nope  —  Baker's inflated view of effect of Lee's loss likely won't save his job, writes Phil Rogers  —  Dusty Baker is a good man in an awful position—finishing out a very public job with the belief that his bosses don't want him around anymore.

Rumblings: Clubs Notified that Draft Pick Compensation to be Dropped in Upcoming CBA  —  Ken Davidoff of Newsday reported just over a week ago that teams may no longer receive draft picks as compensation for free agents who leave as part of the upcoming CBA.

Pedro gives his boot the boot  —  Heads for Florida to start rehab; Glavine, Duque likely back soon  —  As his rained-out Mets teammates scattered for an unscheduled day off yesterday, Pedro Martinez dragged a large duffel bag through the clubhouse and out the door.  —  Martinez was headed for Florida.

Mulder comes up empty  —  It took just five outs and 49 pitches Tuesday night for manager Tony La Russa to know Mark Mulder had gone far enough to call it a night.  —  Two months, three rehabilitation outings and two failed major league appearances after going on the disabled list with shoulder problems …

Notes: Vidro critical of Nationals  —  Second baseman doesn't like the effort he's seen this year  —  WASHINGTON — Second baseman Jose Vidro played on some bad Expos teams during his eight years in Montreal, but, according to Vidro, those teams battled every night and the 2006 season is the worst he has ever experienced.

Webb, crash victim were closest of friends, college roommates  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Right up until the time he took the field for his latest start, Arizona Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb was thinking about his friend and college roommate, Jon Hooker, searching the internet for more information …