The X-Factor

Tim Crothers

March 23, 1998

When the Giants pulled off that late season "trade" with the White Sox for Roberto Hernandez, Wilson Alvarez and Danny Darwin, it seemed as if they'd landed two stars and a throw-in. Well, lo and behold, the throw-in is the only one still in town. Not that Darwin, a 42-year-old veteran, is complaining. With a rubber arm and the ability to start or relieve, he'll get lots of work on this shaky staff. In fact, Darwin will be a good index of San Francisco's success: If he starts more than 10 games, that means injuries or ineptness are still plaguing the Giants. Darwin's still got some juice, but not enough to regularly start for a contender.