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 would waive no-trade in deal to Frisco - 11/03/2006 03:01 AM EST  —  Things might be getting easier for Pat Gillick.  —  Since Gillick was hired a year ago, the Phillies' general manager has been trying to trade leftfielder Pat Burrell.  The main obstacle: Burrell's full no-trade clause.

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 …

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.

Gonzo loses Gold Glove to Jeter (?!)  —  Derek Jeter is a great player.  There can be little debate.  But Jeter may not even be the best-fielding shortstop in New York (hello, Jose Reyes).  —  Yet Thursday Jeter won his third straight Gold Glove at shortstop, beating out Alex Gonzalez of the Red Sox …

These Are Days You'll Remember  —  This won't be the last time I bring it up, but briefly, there is a great new book out.  Buy two copies: one for yourself, one for somebody you care about.  It's called The 100 Greatest Days in New York Sports and it's no ordinary list book.

Braves make four Minor League hirings  —  Former Mariner Brundage named Triple-A Richmond manager  —  ATLANTA — New Triple-A Richmond manager Dave Brundage was one of four new Minor League hires the Braves announced on Thursday afternoon.  —  Brundage, who spent the past 19 years as a player …

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.

Wright seizes prime time  —  Meets Japan's PM & hits HR  —  TOKYO - David Wright presented Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe with a Mets jersey.  Then the third baseman asked for the leader's help in landing Seibu Lions ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, whom the Mets and Yankees covet.

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.

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 …

Hot Stove storylines (cont.)  —  Aramis Ramirez has already opted out of the $22 million remaining on his deal with the Cubs and should interest teams at maybe three times that price, possibly including the Padres, Angels and Dodgers.  Zito is the biggest pitcher in a decidedly thin American pitching market …