Kabuki Auction: Bidding Intrigue Behind the Scenes  —  Like a toll on a turnpike or a personal seat license at a new stadium, an upfront fee is required these days for a 26-year-old ace pitcher from Japan.  —  The bidding for Daisuke Matsuzaka has begun, and no one knows quite how high it will go.

Cameron wins Gold, then asks for Baker  —  Center fielder 'big fan' of manager candidate  —  Awarded a Gold Glove yesterday, Padres center fielder Mike Cameron knows who the perfect catch would be in the club's managerial search.  —  "This is my opportunity to vouch for Dusty Baker," an excited Cameron told San Diego reporters.

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.

Sox' ailing Anderson back home  —  Brian Anderson has no idea what the ramifications of his decision to leave Winter League play will be, but the White Sox outfielder wasn't terribly concerned with that Friday.  —  After developing some sort of stomach virus that dropped his weight 15 pounds …

Sosa eyes return to big leagues, 600 home runs  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Sammy Sosa, 12 home runs shy of 600, said he wants to return to the big leagues in 2007 after taking a year off and contemplating retirement.  —  "I feel good physically, and after a year of resting …

Re-signing Maddux could become tricky  —  Other roster concerns could make deal for him unmanageable; team declines Gagne's option.  —  Greg Maddux won his 16th Gold Glove award Friday and needs one more to break a tie with Jim Kaat and Brooks Robinson for the most at any position.

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 …

Morgan, Young are off and running  —  Duo has combined for 24 steals in winter-league action  —  Eric Young Jr. and Nyjer Morgan are making life difficult on opposing catchers in the Hawaii Winter League.  —  The 26-year-old Morgan, a left fielder for the Honolulu Sharks, leads the league with 13 stolen bases.

Brown still hot in Arizona Fall League  —  Angels prospect showing talent at the plate in the desert  —  Matt Brown showed he could hit for power and average at Double-A Arkansas this season.  The third baseman batted .293 with 19 home runs and 79 RBIs in 134 games for the Travelers.

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.

I MIGHT QUIT  —  PEDRO: RETIREMENT COULD BE AN OPTION  —  Pedro Martinez raised the possibility yesterday that he is done as a major leaguer.  —  The Mets ace had surgery last month to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, and he is not expected back to the Mets until July 2007, at best.

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.