01:00 AM EDT on Saturday, July 10, 2004

BOSTON -- A day after word leaked that Randy Johnson would prefer to change his address to the Bronx -- rather than Boston or Anaheim -- there were reverberations for the Red Sox.

Though the Sox haven't entirely given up hope that they can land Johnson -- the Yanks must still put together a suitable package for Arizona, something they couldn't do for Curt Schilling -- there are other items of interest.

Schilling, though he won't be pitching, will still attend Tuesday's All-Star Game in Houston. Don't expect him, however, to put the hard sell on Johnson, his former teammate.

"I'm sure we'll chat," Schilling said yesterday. "But RJ is not going to go somewhere just so he can be locker-mates with somebody. He's going to make a decision based on what's best for him and his family. I'm not going to sell him [on the idea of accepting a trade to Boston]. That's not for me to do."

Schilling and Johnson teamed up to lead Arizona to the 2001 championship, and if he had his preference, would love to be in the same rotation with him again.

"Obviously, adding a Hall of Famer doesn't hurt your chances," said Schilling. "But I don't think one player is going to win a World Series. I said that when I came here. And I believe we have a championship-caliber team here."

Now that Johnson has targeted the Yankees as his favored destination, speculation almost inevitably yesterday turned to another 40-year-old multi-Cy Young Award winner: Roger Clemens.

The Astros are in danger of completely falling out of the National League playoff race. But any thought of Clemens returning to Boston to finish his career seems folly.

For one thing, Houston owner Drayton McLane built his franchise's marketing campaign around two native sons -- Clemens and Andy Pettitte -- returning to their hometown. The pitch sold season tickets and luxury boxes and lifted interest in the Astros to an all-time high.

It's inconceivable that McLane would turn around and deal Clemens after Clemens came out of retirement -- however brief -- to pitch close to home.

In the off-chance that Clemens asked out, he would much more likely ask to go back to New York. Even as Clemens was signing with the Astros and angering the Yankees last winter, he remarked: "I'll always be a Yankee."

And while some reports have suggested a strain exists between George Steinbrenner and Clemens -- thanks to some comments made and the Yanks' decision to give Clemens' uniform number so readily to Jon Lieber this spring -- others maintain they continue to quietly communicate.

If Houston doesn't inject itself back into the race soon, the team could re-deal Carlos Beltran, the object of a spirited bidding war last month. It's not unprecedented: Montreal dealt for Cliff Floyd two years ago, then, when he didn't produce the necessary bump, traded him to Boston.

GM Gerry Hunsicker said yesterday that Beltran wouldn't be moved, but these days, the Red Sox are keeping a more-careful watch on right-hander Wade Miller.

Miller, who is currently on the DL with shoulder tendinitis, is eligible for arbitration next year and 2006, and the Astros are mindful of their expanding payroll.

At 27, Miller has won 45 games in his last three full seasons and would give the Sox a solid No. 3 starter behind Pedro Martinez and Schilling.

Boston would like to find a young first baseman -- for the short-term and long-term -- and have identified as many as 10 players. Progress has been slow, however.

Among those who've drawn the Red Sox interest: Anaheim's Casey Kotchman, Minnesota's Justin Morneau, and Texas' Adrian Gonzalez. To date, however, they've been unsuccessful in trying to work out a deal.

The Colorado Rockies are intent on moving two outfielders -- Larry Walker and Preston Wilson -- but the Sox' interest in either is minimal.

Walker, who has battled injuries the last few seasons, is a three-time batting champion and owns Gold Gloves for his play in right. But he's being paid $12.5 million this season and again next year with a $1 million buyout for 2006, meaning he would represent about a $20 million investment.

Wilson is less expensive, with $9 million this year and $12 million next year. But he also strikes out way too much (279 times over his last two full seasons) for a club that already is tops in strikeouts in the American League.

The Sox have been following Jason Jennings for months, but indications are the Rockies have decided against dealing him.