Wakamatsu may be next Texas manager  —  Rangers bench coach Don Wakamatsu is the front-runner to be the team's next manager and A's third-base coach Ron Washington remains a viable candidate, major-league sources tell FOXSports.com.  —  Trey Hillman?  —  He's still in the mix after the first round …

Omar bobs and weaves  —  Omar Minaya was about as easy to pin down as Barry Sanders yesterday when the Mets' GM spoke with reporters on a conference call.  Did Minaya think reliever Guillermo Mota was no longer on the GM's radar after Wednesday's announcement that the Dominican righthander …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

La Russa, the movie?  Screenplay in the works  —  ST. LOUIS — Tony La Russa has gone Hollywood.  —  The New York Times best-seller "3 Nights in August," based on a 2003 series against the Chicago Cubs and delving into La Russa's managing style, may soon be made into a screenplay.

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 …

Twins' Liriano likely to miss '07 after elbow surgery  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins standout left-hander Francisco Liriano has been scheduled for surgery on his ailing elbow that will most certainly keep him from pitching in 2007.  —  Liriano will undergo Tommy John surgery Monday …

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.

Yankees are in the House  —  So I took the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) home from Tokyo today, and found some fresh newsprint waiting upon my arrival at the home station.  The Sanspo News is a popular sports tabloid that comes out daily.  Today's afternoon edition features a large picture of Daisuke Matsuzaka …

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 …