Boss: Jeter good as Gold  —  Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter won his third consecutive Gold Glove yesterday and minutes after the award was announced, George Steinbrenner said it was only the beginning of the honors Jeter deserves for his 2006 season.  —  "I hope he wins the MVP," …

Matsuzaka bidding begins; Mariners say they won't try to get Japanese pitcher  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Just as the doors opened to major league bidding for Japanese pitching ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, one of his potential suitors closed theirs.  —  General manager Bill Bavasi said Thursday …

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 …

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 …

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.

Cards, Mulder will talk  —  Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said he's had a similar conversation with lefty Mark Mulder since, but Tony La Russa recalled a specific exchange during the NL Division Series against San Diego.  —  Mulder, his manager and the GM were talking …

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.

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.

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.