For 12th time, Pudge honored for his 'D'  —  American League Gold Glove winners include seven repeats  —  A battery that helped power the Detroit Tigers into the American League playoffs for the first time in 19 years came equipped with a golden touch.  —  Left-handed starter Kenny Rogers …

Mussina, Not Wright, Figures in Yanks' Pitching Plans  —  The Yankees must decide in the next few days whether to exercise their team options on outfielder Gary Sheffield and starters Mike Mussina and Jaret Wright.  None of the players is expected to be back with the Yankees at the option-year price.

Burrell may be interested in a trade to the Giants  —  Giants notes  —  Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell would waive his no-trade clause and pick up a first baseman's mitt to play for the Giants, his agent said.  —  The Phillies are desperate to unload a hefty portion …

Colletti says he isn't afraid to make a big deal  —  Dodgers' GM says he's willing to offer a lengthy contract to get a top pitcher or hitter.  —  The Dodgers do not plan to submit a bid for the right to negotiate with Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, but that doesn't mean …

Wakamatsu appears to have inside track  —  DALLAS — If proximity is important, Don Wakamatsu seems to be in good position to be the next Rangers manager.  —  During an appearance by Roger Clemens at the SMU Athletic Forum on Thursday, Wakamatsu sat at the head table with Rangers general manager Jon Daniels.

METS EYE MOOSE  —  SOURCE: AMAZIN'S 'WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER' HIM  —  How about a Mets-Yankees battle over Mike Mussina to take the chill out of the November air?  —  Mussina has told friends the Mets would be a welcome option if the Yankees don't want him back.

Selig Sees a Billion Reasons to Open a Season in China  —  As Commissioner Bud Selig stood on the field at Japan's Tokyo Dome in 2004, he spoke excitedly about the importance of continuing to expand Major League Baseball internationally.  Selig was not specific, but geographically speaking, he was peeking even farther west.

LOOKING FOR PAY DIRT  —  REYNOLDS HIRES PRIVATE EYE, MAY EXPOSE ESPN SKELETONS  —  Before former Baseball Tonight analyst Harold Reynolds' lawsuit against ESPN is all cleaned up, the circumstances may become a whole lot messier.  —  During recent meetings with company employees …

Mo cooks up A-Rod relief  —  Come on New York, give A-Rod a break.  At least that is what Yankee closer Mariano Rivera advises.  At his restaurant in New Rochelle last night, Rivera said he thinks the embattled Yankee third baseman did everything except catch a break this season.

Dye, Lackey lead MLB past Japan  —  TOKYO — Two bursts of power — one from the right arm of John Lackey and the other from the bat of Jermaine Dye — carried Major League Baseball to a well-executed and methodical 3-2 victory over Nippon Professional Baseball in Game 1 of the Japan All-Star Series.

Tribune draws unexciting bids for firm, seeks offers for units  —  After receiving a handful of unimpressive bids for the company, Tribune Co. is soliciting offers for individual properties in its portfolio, which include the Los Angeles Times, KTLA-TV Channel 5 and the Chicago Cubs.

Agent: No change of heart for Girardi  —  News report prompts fresh denial about job interest  —  WASHINGTON — Agent Steve Mandel denied a report on Thursday that his client, Joe Girardi, is considering putting himself back in the mix as a managerial candidate with the Nationals.

Kaat can seal career with Frick honors  —  Former Yanks announcer is up for annual broadcaster award  —  NEW YORK — Jim Kaat may have called his last Yankees game in September, but the former pitcher is a candidate for this year's Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually to a broadcaster …