The Hot Corner

The Giants were considering a deal to acquire third baseman Vinny Castilla, 32, from the Rockies but lost all interest when they heard whispers that he would demand either a trade after next season or a three-year contract extension with a hefty raise that would carry him past his 37th birthday. Castilla is owed $13 million over the next two seasons on his current contract. One team that might be willing to gamble on Castilla's playing only a year before moving on, while still having the financial resources to possibly re-sign him: the Cubs....

Because of the depleted supply of pitching talent and a lackluster field of free-agent arms available this fall, "I guarantee you'll see some teams do ridiculous things to get pitching," Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker said last Saturday. Only hours later the Indians gave Cuban refugee Danys Baez, a 22-year-old righthander with a fastball that has been clocked in the mid-90s, $14.5 million over four years. Meanwhile, free-agent righthander Aaron Sele (75-53 lifetime), late of the Rangers, was looking for $9 million per year, and Padres righty Andy Ashby (72-74) was the most coveted pitcher on the trade market. Cleveland was trying to get Ashby without giving up slugger Richie Sexson. With Baez signed, the Indians could put righthander Jaret Wright in the deal....

Five future managers played for the 1972 Dodgers: Frank Robinson, Bobby Valentine, Jim Lefebvre, Bill Russell and, thanks to his appointment last week by the Brewers, Davey Lopes.