Seattle and Covington Exchange Minor Leaguers

Seattle and Covington played a little "add on" yesterday, exchanging minor leaguers in their second trade this month.

Seattle sent outfielder Edward Hammon (http://ootp.izev.com/p99.html) to Covington. Hammon had spent the season so far with Seattle's AAA affiliate, the Tacoma Titans, and hit .272 with 19 home runs. Hammon is expected to join Covington's major league team.

Seattle received Covington's fourth round pick in the recent amateur draft, starting pitcher Alberto Nicastro (http://ootp.izev.com/p992.html). Nicastro had started with Covington's AA affiliate, the Crawfordsville Eagles, and was 3-5 with a 4.08 ERA. Seattle pitching coach William "Frog" Kroeker indicated that Nicastro would initially be assigned to the A-ball Kent Kings.

Seattle also received $500,000 from Covington as part of the exchange. Team sources indicated that the money would be used to pay for a new outfit for the team mascot, an automatic espresso machine, and a crate of Spuddies because "enough is never enough."

Posted by Seattle Times senior baseball correspondent Max Mercy