Vinny Castilla, Eric Young Last Original Rockies

Unless ex-Padres Vinny Castilla and Eric Young, both 39, sign on with other teams -- an open question at best -- their departure from the game marks the end of the last of the original Colorado Rockies. Both have been designated for assignment in anticipation of granting their unconditional releases. While both have had productive careers since coming up with the Rockies in 1992, it remains puzzling why such players are able to collect relatively lucrative paychecks year after year when it has become increasingly obvious that they have little left to contribute. Ironically, however, Castilla was still playing respectable defense, especially compared to his replacement, Todd Walker. Walker, 33, who came over from the Chicago Cubs, primarily played at second base for Chicago and is somewhat disadvantaged as a left-handed thrower turning to find the correct angle to throw across the diamond. In his first start, he had trouble finding first base on each chance, and had two throwing errors.