MLB teamThe Rockies MLB team have placed closer Brian Fuentes and center fielder Willy Taveras on waivers, and are expected to explore dealing them this week.
According to major league sources, Fuentes was placed on waivers Monday, and Taveras followed Tuesday. So Fuentes' waivers would expire Wednesday afternoon, with Taveras' waivers expiring a day later.

All team sports information reports that Fuentes, in particular, is expected to draw a large number of claims.

"There's nobody like him available," said an executive of one contender. "So I'd be surprised if every MLB team in contention didn't claim him."

If that's the case, the Dodgers -- who have the worst record (65-66) of any contender -- would get the only opportunity to make a deal for Fuentes. But one GM said he didn't expect the Rockies to wind up dealing Fuentes at all.

"I think they're still in it," the GM said. "And I don't think they really want to trade him unless they get exactly what they're looking for."

In July, the Rockies targeted mostly young, high-ceiling, big-league ready starting pitchers as the centerpiece of any deal. They also were asking for a second prospect, because Fuentes is expected to be a Type A free agent this winter, meaning the Rockies MLB team would want to deal him for the equivalent of the two compensation picks they would get if he signs elsewhere.

Unlike Fuentes, Taveras can't be a free agent until after the 2010 season. So the Rockies have no need to trade him now. They dangled him before the deadline in their search for starting pitching, but had only limited interest.