Wolf may not be the last call for Houston

The acquisition of Randy Wolf from San Diego for Minor League right-hander Chad Reineke is a low-risk proposition from the Astros. If Wolf, who will be a free agent at season's end, contributes as the Astros hope he will, he could conceivably help them climb into the playoff picture.

On the other hand if the Astros don't turn things around they are on the hook for at most $3.5 million of Wolf''s salary, and if Houston does decide to look to the future, Wolf might be one of several veterans contending teams might value after the deadline.

Wolf, infielder/outfielder Darin Erstad and infielders Mark Loretta and Geoff Blum could be heading elsewhere as other contenders have already expressed interest in the latter trio and the Astros were among several suitors for Wolf when the Padres made the 31-year-old available.

For now, however, the Astros believe they still have a shot at the playoffs.

"We've had ongoing dialogue with a number of clubs," GM Ed Wade said. "Nothing I would say to this magnitude, but there could be opportunities for us to do some things between now and the 31st."

Wolf could prove to be a long-term option for the Astros, but the bet here the lefty will land with a West Coast club next season. In the meantime the Astros will hope for Wolf's best shot, while they take their best to perhaps keep him beyond this season.

"I think the Wolf trade frankly is a case where we have a chance to improve both short term and long term because it is a one-year deal," Wade said. "If nothing else it gives us the short term help we need, it gives us an opportunity to get our foot in the door with Randy in the event he pitches well enough that we want to extend the contract against the backdrop of what's going to be a pretty thin pitching market out there."

-- Jim Molony