Deadline extended; trade saga drags on

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The weekend talks didn't produce any trades, just more rumors and confusion.

The Juan Gonzalez-Sammy Sosa-New York Yankees soap opera is still going strong.

Gonzalez's agent, Jim Bronner, spent Sunday talking to the Detroit Tigers and Yankees as the teams attempted to finalize the deal that would send Gonzalez to New York for three players.

A baseball official familiar with the talks who spoke on the condition he not be identified, said the sides would meet again Monday in hopes of completing the deal.

And while there was no confirmation, it appeared the parties and the commissioner's office agreed to an extension of the deadline to complete the trade, which originally was Sunday.

Meanwhile, to the surprise of many, Gonzalez is still in town as the Tigers complete their five-game, wraparound series Monday night with the Cleveland Indians.

Gonzalez wasn't in the lineup and didn't play in Sunday's game, but it had nothing to do with a trade.

Gonzalez fouled a ball off his left ankle during Saturday night's game and was still hobbling around the Tigers' clubhouse following Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

''See you guys tomorrow,'' Gonzalez told reporters after dressing.

In Chicago, the Yankees, who dropped two games behind AL East-leading Toronto with an 8-7 loss to the White Sox, also was still talking with the Chicago Cubs about a possible trade for Sosa, and with other teams, too, the official said.

The Cubs, according to a Yankees official speaking on the condition of anonymity, gave the Yankees several combinations of players they would accept for Sosa, and there have been back-and-forth talks.

The Cubs appear to have become impressed with Alex Graman, a left-hander from Indiana State drafted by the Yankees in the third round in 1999.

Gonzalez said he expected to hear from his agent later Sunday, but had no idea if the talks had progressed.

''I don't know, I've been here,'' he said. ''I don't know what's happening outside the ballpark.''

New York and Detroit agreed Thursday to the tentative trade that would send outfielder Ricky Ledee, third-base prospect Drew Henson and minor league pitcher Randy Keisler to Detroit for Gonzalez. However, they need Gonzalez's permission.

The deadline for completing the deal originally was Sunday.

''What time is it?'' Tigers manager Phil Garner asked before Sunday's game.

A moment later, Garner's office phone rang.

''Here it is,'' he said.

Garner had a brief discussion with Tigers general manager Randy Smith, but said there was no news.

''It might be kind of funny when people see he's not in the lineup,'' Garner said.

Garner didn't have any further information postgame.

''I have no idea,'' he said. ''You guys, I'm sure, know more than me.''

Gonzalez, who has the right to block a trade to the Yankees, had difficulty walking after Saturday's game when the Tigers rallied from a 7-0 deficit behind Bobby Higginson's three homers.

Garner said he has been pleased with how Gonzalez, a two-time AL MVP, has handled the pressures of the past few days since news of the possible blockbuster deal broke.

''I think he just wants to play ball,'' Garner said. ''Juan sometimes wears his heart on his cuff, but I think he's doing pretty well with this.''