Tigers Near Record Deal With Porcello  —  For the fourth straight year, the Tigers are going to make a huge splash with an above-slot deal in the first round.  After signing Justin Verlander (2004), Cameron Maybin (2005) and Andrew Miller (2006), Detroit is closing in on a record deal …

Wake, Sox shift gears: Drive home a point vs. Devil Rays  —  While there is no ignoring the headlights that have zoomed up into the rearview mirror, the Red Sox [team stats] indicated last night that they have no intentions of acquiescing to the flashing high beams and allowing the New York Yankees to pass.

Source says Mets have no interest in Piazza  —  The Mets' pitching has been a question for most of the season.  But the question now is just who is going to catch?  Not Mike Piazza.  —  The Mets may reek slightly of desperation right now, but according to one source …

Notes: Polanco sets all-time record  —  Monday's errorless game gives infielder milestone  —  DETROIT — Despite the fact it was set in a loss, the record for most consecutive errorless games by a second baseman means a lot to Placido Polanco.  —  "This game has been around for a long time," Polanco said.

Notes: Little holds closed-door meeting  —  Manager looking for Dodgers to snap three-week slide  —  LOS ANGELES — Manager Grady Little held a team meeting prior to Monday night's game against the Houston Astros in an attempt to get his team out of a three-week funk in which the Dodgers …

Off Kei: Deal sending Igawa to Padres fizzles … Unless there is a 24th hour reversal in the talks between the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres, the Yankees intend to withdraw Kei Igawa from trade waivers by Tuesday's 2 p.m. trade deadline, ending conversations between the teams about a deal involving the left-handed pitcher.

Just like that, Cubs lose their swagger  —  Everything in baseball can change so quickly for a team ... and, once again, it has.  —  Not so long ago, the Cubs could not have been sitting prettier.  They had scratched and clawed their way into first place.

Mailbag: Will Nats go after Wily Mo?  —  Reporter Bill Ladson answers Nationals fans' questions … Now that Red Sox outfielder Wily Mo Pena has cleared waivers, will the Nationals attempt to acquire him?  —  I don't put anything past general manager Jim Bowden when it comes to acquiring Pena, who played for Bowden in Cincinnati.

Pirates Notebook: Phelps fits into plans for 2008 in key way  —  The Pirates' 2007 season must run its course, but early hints about the makeup of the 2008 team are surfacing.  —  One arose in the second game last night against San Francisco when Josh Phelps made his first start at catcher since Oct. 5 …

Loud, proud and unbowed  —  Mets' Milledge says he can't help but be impetuous, spirited self  —  NEW YORK — Lastings Milledge might as well be a rock star.  —  The 22-year-old Mets outfielder struts into his office every day with a pair of sleek Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses fixed over his eyes …

Sexson blasts away at funk  —  9th-inning homer wins it for M's, caps 3-RBI night  —  It was a dream matchup between the Venezuelan superstar pitcher of today and the man who many expect to be the Venezuelan superstar pitcher of tomorrow.  —  In the end, however, neither was around when the game was decided.

Tigers agree to trade minor leaguer Hannahan to Oakland  —  The Tigers have agreed to trade Jack Hannahan, an infielder at Triple-A Toledo, to the Oakland Athletics, according to an individual with knowledge of the deal.  —  Hannahan is expected to fly to the West Coast with Oakland's big-league club …