Kotchman for Teixeira in works  —  Angels first baseman Casey Kotchman was pulled off the field during pregame warm-ups this afternoon at Fenway Park.  And there are strong indications he is about to be traded to the Braves for Mark Teixeira, according to a source with knowledge of those discussions.

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.

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 …

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 …

Pirates Notebook: LaRoche to DL; Bixler coming  —  The Pirates today will place first baseman Adam LaRoche on the 15-day disabled list and recall infielder Brian Bixler from Class AAA Indianapolis, sources confirmed early this morning.  —  LaRoche and second baseman Freddy Sanchez sat …

Stick a fork in Braves, they're done  —  The day after a second straight meltdown in Philadelphia, the Braves put two more players on the disabled list.  This time it was just their best starting pitcher and their best position player.  —  So much for the post-season tease.

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 …

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.

Tuesday afternoon update: Hawkins, Everett  —  Heading over to the ballpark after working the phones today.  Nothing Earth shattering to report, but a couple tidbits:  —  (*) The Twins are competing with the Tigers for LaTroy Hawkins.  Lots of bullpen issues for the Tigers and they were interested in signing him last winter.