Sheff's lookin' cooked  —  Moose is near pact  —  While the Yankees were getting a head start yesterday on plotting Gary Sheffield's path out of New York, they were also close to finalizing a deal that would keep Mike Mussina in pinstripes for the next two seasons.

RANGERS NOTES  —  Rangers close in on decision time  —  The Rangers have scheduled their final interview for the vacant manager's position.  —  Oakland third base coach Ron Washington will return Sunday for a second interview, and will meet with owner Tom Hicks, general manager Jon Daniels and assistant GM Thad Levine.

Carroll disappointed by Glove snub  —  The inequity was alarming.  In a year when he barely missed a single groundball, Rockies second baseman Jamey Carroll failed Friday to catch his first Gold Glove.  —  Despite committing just three errors at second base, two on the Barry Bonds' shift …

Bonds' act was a big problem for the Giants  —  The prevailing opinion is that the Giants will seek to re-sign Barry Bonds, who needs 22 home runs to break the all-time record, but sources said the club is weighing many factors.  —  Money is only one factor.

AMAZIN'S PLAN TO BID FOR MATSUZAKA  —  The Mets anticipate trying to land Daisuke Matsuzaka's rights by offering a bid for the Japanese star right-hander, according to a person with knowledge of the team's plans.  —  Matsuzaka hit the market Thursday and bids by MLB teams are due by Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Kasten defends managerial search  —  The Washington Nationals likely will name their new manager within the next two weeks, according to team president Stan Kasten, who insisted the search to replace Frank Robinson has proceeded as planned despite perception around baseball to the contrary.

Howard's homers power MLB in win  —  TOKYO — Ryan Howard spent his morning and early afternoon on Saturday playing the part of a Tokyo tourist.  Along with his mother, sister and several other MLB stars, Howard saw the historic Kannon Temple, did some shopping on Nakamise Street and took a cruise through the Sumida River.

Mets target Cards' Mulder  —  On a day Pedro Martinez hinted he might never come back, the Mets expressed interest in a potential replacement: free-agent pitcher Mark Mulder.  —  According to a person familiar with the situation, the Mets made a brief contact with Mulder's camp to express interest …

John wants to be Mets' Maine-stay  —  TOKYO - John Maine had not pitched in a game in 16 days, since he tossed 5-1/3 scoreless innings against eventual world champion St. Louis in Game 6 of the NLCS with the Mets facing elimination.  —  Then came the last-minute call to his Virginia home …

Wind blew Lidle's plane off course  —  Investigators say the plane may have stalled after attempting a sharp U-turn.  —  WASHINGTON - A light wind was cited by federal investigators yesterday for blowing a small airplane carrying Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle off course and into a New York City high-rise on Oct. 11.