TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Rockies could complete a deal to acquire Red Sox right-handeder Byung-Hyun Kim on Wednesday, newspapers in Denver and Boston reported, citing various sources.

The Boston Herald and Rocky Mountain News reported in its Wednesday editions that the deal was awaiting approval by Red Sox ownership, which would agree to pay more than $5.6 million of Kim's $6 million 2005 salary if the deal is completed.

Neither the Rockies nor the Red Sox have confirmed the reported transaction.

The Denver Post reported that the Rockies were the most aggressive of several teams that inquired about Kim, who has struggled with velocity this spring and became expendable Tuesday when the Sox acquired left-hander Mike Myers from St. Louis in a trade.

The Post mentioned right-handed starter Jason Young, who had a strong camp before being optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs, as possibly heading to the Red Sox.

Colorado and Boston have talked throughout the offseason about a Kim deal, but the Rockies resisted earlier requests for Young, Colorado's No. 2 draft choice out of Stanford in 2000 and owner of a club-record $2.75 million bonus, and left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes.

Kim, 26, went 2-1 with a 6.23 ERA in seven games with the Red Sox last year while battling health concerns. Originally signed out of South Korea by Arizona, Kim earned 19 saves for the 2001 World Series champion Diamondbacks and 36 saves for Arizona the following year.

He was traded to Boston in 2003 and made 49 appearances, including five starts, that season. But he became an odd-man out during the playoffs that season and during the Red Sox' World Series run in 2004.

The Rockies need bullpen help. They face the likelihood of having to place newly appointed closer Chin-hui Tsao on the disabled list to start the year because of rotator cuff inflammation, and enter the season uncertain as to who can handle closer-type innings.

If the deal is completed, Kim's immediate role is unclear. A Rockies official said earlier this spring Kim could be used in middle relief. But Tsao's problems, the fact the Rockies want to ease him into the closer role, and the questions surrounding other options makes Kim a candidate for late-game duty, later if not now.

That need became greater when left-hander Darren Oliver, kept out of the starting rotation because the Rockies are going with younger and mostly homegrown starters, balked at being placed in the bullpen. Oliver and the Rockies could part ways on Wednesday. Oliver is in camp under a minor league deal that would pay $600,000 if he makes the team, so Colorado might actually have Kim for less money than what they would pay Oliver.

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Before the apparent deal for Kim, right-handers Allan Simpson, who shook off a slow Spring Training start, Ryan Speier, who earned 27 saves in Double-A, and David Cortes, who has had a strong camp as a non-roster player, were competing for two spots. Also, former Japan League star closer Eddie Gaillard has been assigned to Triple-A Colorado Springs, but the Rockies believe they'll need him.

On Tuesday afternoon, Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said the Rockies were looking but he was reluctant to take opportunities away from the mostly young group of pitchers that has competed throughout camp.

"If something comes our way and somebody calls us and offers us something that's going to improve our ballclub, then maybe," Hurdle said. "But we're not going to bring anybody in at the last second to get a look at one day and put him on the club, not with the what these guys have done, the effort and commitment they've made. We'll go with the guys we've got."