Rockies' contract progress is slow  —  Security and cost certainty are the reverberating themes on Blake Street.  The Rockies have discussed multiyear contracts with closer Brian Fuentes, infielders Jamey Carroll and Garrett Atkins and pitcher Jason Jennings.

Bucs ink Marte to two-year extension  —  Veteran reliever's new deal includes club option for '09  —  PITTSBURGH — The Pirates signed left-handed reliever Damaso Marte to a two-year contract extension on Monday with a club option for 2009.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Dodgers get a cut-rate deal on pitcher Wolf  —  Left-hander, who had elbow surgery in '05, agrees for less than others offered so he can play in hometown.  —  Southland product Randy Wolf, a left-handed starting pitcher who had major elbow surgery 17 months ago, has agreed to sign …

McGwire good for only 1 out of 4 for Hall of Fame vote  —  NEW YORK — For one glorious summer, Mark McGwire was bigger than baseball itself.  America stopped to watch each time he came to the plate, and cheered every time he sent a ball into orbit.  —  He could do no wrong, it seemed.

Lucchino in Japan to work on Seibu  —  The Red Sox have sent team president Larry Lucchino to Japan to help try and close a momentous deal with Daisuke Matsuzaka.  —  Lucchino has, according to a source, already met with attorneys representing the Seibu Lions, the Japanese Central League team …

Blue Jays still negotiating with Zaun  —  TORONTO (AP) -The Toronto Blue Jays have resumed negotiations with free-agent catcher Gregg Zaun after an apparent agreement with Rod Barajas fell through.  —  General manager J.P. Ricciardi said late Monday the team was negotiating with Zaun, and the deal with Barajas was not going ahead.

Dellucci agrees to 3-year, $11.5M deal  —  The Indians have found a new left fielder, reaching agreement with free agent David Dellucci on a three-year, $11.5 million contract, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  The deal is contingent on Dellucci passing a physical.  The examination is expected to take place Thursday in Cleveland.

Sox GM says Crede extension unlikely  —  Williams blames 'landscape,' says Bonds not in plans  —  For White Sox fans having visions of Joe Crede at third base forever and for those dreaming of Barry Bonds as the new left fielder, the reality is neither will happen.

Ohka interested in returning  —  Right-hander spent three-plus seasons with Expos/Nats  —  WASHINGTON — Right-hander Tomo Ohka is interested in returning to the Nationals, according to his agent, Jim Masteralexis.  —  The news comes more than a year after the team traded Ohka to the Brewers …

MLB official: Ramirez might be dealt by Saturday … The Red Sox are aggressively shopping outfielder Manny Ramirez now, according to major league sources, at a time when the slugger's trade value has peaked, and there is a sense among some executives that their trade talks are gaining momentum.

Baez signs up for relief work with Orioles … One frustrating year in the National League was enough for right-hander Danys Baez.  —  The free agent reliever signed a $19 million, three-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Monday after passing a physical.  —  Baez broke into the majors with Cleveland in 2001.