NY Mets have been in contact with Red Sox about Manny Ramirez  —  TRADE WINDS METS BUZZ  —  Contrary to the denials that made the rounds Monday, officials from both teams say the Mets have contacted the Red Sox about Manny Ramirez and are interested in pursuing a deal for him if Boston decides to make him available.

More teams in Teixeira mix  —  Add the Dodgers and Yankees to the list of teams that have expressed some level of interest in Mark Teixeira.  —  According to clubs that have spoken with the Braves, the bulk of their conversations continue to be with the four primary teams identified Monday …

Deal or no deal?  —  Mets have outfield options with deadline approaching  —  A reader, Steve from Brooklyn, asked me to scour the trade market for potential Mets outfield acquisitions, and that follows below.  Although I couldn't possibly weigh in on every name that's been bandied about …

Source: Outfielder Guillen wants trade from Royals … Left fielder Jose Guillen wants out of Kansas City pronto, according to a source who spoke to ESPNdeportes.com on condition of anonymity.  —  Guillen feels the Royals have not kept the promises made when he signed for three years …

Marlins' trade targets include catchers, left-handed pitchers  —  Facing a potentially lengthy absence for injured starting catcher Matt Treanor, the Marlins have increased their efforts to acquire an established replacement before Thursday's non-waiver trade deadline.

A WASH-OUT  —  YANKS' DEAL FOR M'S LEFTY IN JEOPARDY  —  Though the Yankees are saying otherwise, a potential deal for Jarrod Washburn isn't dead yet.  Not with so much time before Thursday's trading deadline remaining.  And Sidney Ponson and Mike Mussina getting pounded on consecutive nights …

Rockies trip after their all-star break run  —  De Los Santos, Grilli gone wild  —  PITTSBURGH — It has been a vibrant trip with a classic rock soundtrack.  It was beginning to feel like September again, a convergence of solo pitching harmonies and offensive guitar riffs.

Hot Streak or Not, the Yankees Still Need Starters  —  The New York Yankees showed Friday night, with a dramatic 1-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox, that their years-long attempt to find a number one starter is finally over with the development of Joba Chamberlain.

Mahay going to Phillies?  —  Left-handed reliever Ron Mahay could be on the verge of heading to the Phillies.  —  According to clubs that have been speaking with the Royals, they've been having extensive conversations with the Phillies about a trade that would send Mahay to Philadelphia …

Texas Rangers play it cool when it comes to heat  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - The white board near the main entrance of the Texas Rangers' clubhouse included a brief reminder to players: “Temperature near 100 degrees or more.  Drink plenty of water.”

Dodgers fall short of picking up Kuroda  —  Comeback bid nearly erases hole dug by starter  —  LOS ANGELES — Long after Casey Blake and Joe Torre were done explaining their ejections Monday night and after the fan that jumped into the Giants dugout had been ejected and the parking lots had emptied …

News and notes  —  Not much to report so far today, but here goes...  David Aardsma, who has been on the disabled list since July 20 (retroactive to July 19) with a right groin strain, threw a side session today at 85 to 90 percent effort.  But manager Terry Francona said Aardsma still feels …

Yankees' Milton takes next step, throws 35 pitches  —  TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees left-hander Eric Milton took another step in his comeback from elbow surgery by throwing 35 pitches Tuesday in his first simulated game.  —  Milton, who had surgery in June 2007, went 0-4 with a 5.17 ERA in six starts with Cincinnati last season.

D-Backs broadcasters stray from game  —  The mute button on my remote control generally is reserved for commercials, local news reporters who hyperventilate at the first sight of rain and any show on the Disney Channel.  —  Last week, however, I did something I rarely ever do when watching a game.