Colorado's trade price for Fuentes may be too high  —  The Rockies are playing an intriguing game of poker with closer Brian Fuentes.  The price is high, causing most interested teams — the Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Yankees and Mets, the Boston Red Sox and the Florida Marlins — to consider other options.

Wolf trade shows reality has yet to sink in for Astros  —  If Drayton McLane keeps watching his Astros, he may finally see them for what they actually are instead of what he'd like them to be.  —  He's stubborn, not stupid.  He'll eventually understand that his franchise is broken.

Mill Grinding  —  We'll open up The Mill later this week, but the grind is already starting in the week-plus leading into the non-waiver trade deadline.  Let's keep that part of the equation in play, since many teams are already talking about which guys might clear waivers and be available in August.

First things first for Buchholz  —  Right-hander looking to improve on early struggles  —  SEATTLE — When Clay Buchholz goes to the bullpen in the minutes leading into Wednesday afternoon's start against the Mariners, he will do so with a little bit of simulation in mind.

Smith: For Santana, it's complete game or total collapse  —  This was the Mets' opportunity to make a statement.  They had their high-priced ace, Johan Santana, on the mound for an NL East first-place showdown with their rivals, the Phillies - a team that had crushed all their hopes last season …

Padres may not be finished trading  —  General manager remains receptive to negotiations  —  CINCINNATI — Now that the Padres have traded pitcher Randy Wolf and first baseman Tony Clark, does that mean the selling time is over for the team heading into the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline?

Is Sabathia California dreamin'? … CC Sabathia, who hails from Northern California and currently lives there, is building a home in Southern California.  So it's obvious his heart is on the West Coast.  —  But will the rest of him follow as a free agent this winter?  —  Quite possibly.

Ramirez crossed the line  —  He got nabbed . . . jaywalking  —  SEATTLE - Terry Francona reacted decisively when told that Manny Ramírez had been apprehended jaywalking by one of Seattle's finest while leaving the ballpark after Monday night's game.  —  “That's the last straw,” the Red Sox manager declared.

Mets' Aguayo has Chavez DOA twice at home  —  Endy Chavez couldn't remember the last time he was thrown out at home.  As for getting thrown out twice in one game, both times by such a wide margin even Chavez thought to himself, “Wow, I'm really far away,” there wasn't a precedent.

Note: I Don't Own Anything About It  —  As some of you know, my wife and I spent the last week traveling up the coast of California while on vacation.  —  While walking on a street in Beverly Hills, a man stepped in front of me, smoking a cigarette, pacing and swearing while ranting and raving on his cell phone.

Yanks, Mariners discussing swap for Washburn … The Yankees and Mariners have begun trade discussions that could land lefthanded pitcher Jarrod Washburn in the Bronx, if the finances can be worked out.  —  There is hope for a deal.  But the talks could still be derailed by attempts …

Juan Pierre could return to Dodgers this week  —  The outfielder, who sprained a ligament in his left knee four weeks ago, is set to begin a rehabilitation assignment in Las Vegas.  —  DENVER — Less than four weeks removed from suffering a sprained ligament in his left knee …

Hampton expects return to rotation by next week  —  Glavine encouraged by bullpen session  —  Miami — Left-hander Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton were encouraged by progress when they each threw a bullpen session Tuesday at Dolphin Stadium, and Hampton thinks he could be back by next week.

Breaking news: Rauch traded, Guzman re-signed  —  On the same day, the Nationals determined the futures of their two most valuable veterans.  They traded closer Jon Rauch to Arizona and they signed all-star shortstop Cristian Guzman to a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the team through 2010.