1.   Ash had said initially that he wanted a trade before the winter meetings.

2.   Ash said he and McIlvaine first talked about Olerud last Thursday and continued their conversations Friday, Tuesday and Thursday.

3.   Ash said he has a short list of other candidates he plans to interview.

4.   Ash said the team began its pursuit about three weeks ago when Beeston visited Clemens and Hendricks in Houston.

5.   Ash said five teams remain in the running for Clemens, with two teams farther along in the process than the other three.

6.   Ash said he had found an agent through Castnet after submitting an electronic resume.

7.   Ash said he would be interested in talking with Baltimore Orioles manager Davey Johnson if he becomes available.

8.   Ash said Mike Williams has a right-shoulder injury and would probably have surgery.

9.   Ash said that five teams were still in the running and that nothing had changed from Thursday.

10.   Ash said three clubs talked to him about Wells, a left-handed pitcher, last week at the winter meetings.