Wells

HOUSTON – Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane Jr. confirmed the Chicago White Sox have inquired about the team's interest in pitcher David Wells, two broadcast outlets reported Thursday.

"The White Sox have indicated they might be able to talk about that," McLane told KILT-AM and television station KRIV.

McLane went on to say he thought such a trade might mean parting with "two or three really great minor-leaguers" from the Astros' deep farm system.

McLane recalled the last time Houston traded prospects for a star left-handed pitcher: the 1999 trade-deadline deal for Randy Johnson, who left for the Arizona Diamondbacks that winter.

"Two of those pitchers (Freddy Garcia and John Halama) are now the backbone of the Seattle Mariners rotation," McLane said.

McLane cautioned there have been no formal discussions about Wells and that if the Astros were to trade for a pitcher, he might feel more comfortable waiting awhile before making such a deal.

Heading into Thursday's games, the Astros were in fourth place in the National League Central, 1½ games behind St. Louis. The team's 4.67 ERA was 10th in the National League.

Wells is making $9.25 million this season and his contract has a $10 million team option for next year. Wells has said he would retire if the 2002 option was not picked up.

The defending AL Central champion White Sox are mired in last place. The Chicago Tribune reported this week the club is considering dealing the 38-year-old hurler, who is 3-5 with a 4.54 ERA.