The Associated Press

Alex Rodriguez won his first American League Gold Glove on Wednesday, a vote Omar Vizquel didn't handle too cleanly.

Vizquel had won nine straight times at shortstop. But the fancy fielder from Cleveland had his streak broken by A-Rod, the Texas Rangers star.

"Obviously, I didn't think I was going to lose the Gold Glove this year. I don't think I gave it up. I know I had the numbers to compete," Vizquel said.

Vizquel said he thought Baltimore's Mike Bordick, who did not make an error in his final 110 games, was as deserving as Rodriguez.

"I don't know why he wasn't recognized as one of the best," Vizquel said.

A-Rod made 10 errors, had a .987 fielding percentage and took part in 108 double plays. Vizquel made seven errors, had a .990 fielding percentage and participated in 98 DPs.

Gold Gloves, presented since 1957 by St. Louis-based Rawlings, are voted on by managers and coaches before the end of the regular season.

GM MEETINGS: There has been a lot of talk but only one deal at the general managers' meeting at Tucson, Ariz.

"It will be a slower-developing market, which is what we anticipated coming out here," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said. "Teams have contracts they would like to trade to change their configuration."

Arizona and Colorado have talked about swapping outfielder Larry Walker and third baseman Matt Williams. The Rockies also are exploring to see if there is any interest in overpaid pitchers Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle.

Florida, which is looking to unload Charles Johnson and Preston Wilson, could be interested in Hampton.

The Mets might be willing to take on Neagle as long as the Rockies take back one of New York's undesirable players: Jeromy Burnitz, Rey Ordonez or Roger Cedeno.

CUBS: Chicago beefed up its catching by acquiring Damian Miller from Arizona for two minor-leaguers.

Miller, 33, batted .249 with 22 doubles, 11 homers and 42 RBI in 101 games last season for the Diamondbacks, who won the NL West.

Miller had a .997 fielding percentage behind the plate, committing two errors in 767 total chances, and threw out 36 percent of baserunners who tried to steal.

YANKEES: Hideki Matsui officially became a free agent Wednesday and said he's looking for the team that provides the best fit.

The 28-year-old Japanese slugger has drawn interest from several major-league teams, notably the Yankees. Yankees team president Randy Levine and general manager Brian Cashman are scheduled to travel to Japan today, a team official said on condition of anonymity.

The purpose of the trip, the team official said, is to announce a working agreement between the Yankees and Matsui's former team, the Yomiuri Giants.