Seattle-Covington Trade

May 27, 2009

SEATTLE -- The first big mid-season move was finalized today between the Seattle Monarchs and the Covington Demons. Despite being in the thick of a playoff race, Seattle dealt three people off its major league roster, starting pitcher Cristian Sedillo, reliever Joshua Elders, and third baseman Elias Viers. They also sent Kenneth Byers, a top starting pitching prospect, and their second round pick next year for minor league outfielder (and this year's first pick in the draft) Mohammad Stelly as well as Covington's first round pick next year.

Cristian Sedillo, who was a key piece in the monster offseason deal with South Bay in January, is a young, solid starting pitcher who has struggled in his role as the occasional fifth starter in Seattle. His talent was demonstrated by his 3.41 ERA last year in 17 starts for South Bay. His small-market friendly contract status of working for the minimum for the next three years and under arbitration for three after that likely appealed to Covington. "I'm kind of surprised," Sedillo said. "I mean, they throw a parade for me a couple of months ago, keep me sitting on the sidelines for two months, and then trade me. It was a hell of a parade too. Floats, homecoming queens, those slightly disturbing Seafair Pirates, the whole deal. What the heck?" Sources within the Seattle organization say that the Monarchs wanted to bring up prize prospect Isaac Diehl to the rotation and dealt Sedillo in part to make room.

General Manager Mack Shultz confirmed the rumors. "We're excited to see what Isaac can do in the major league rotation, as we think his defense has not helped him a lot in AAA, but we're sorry to see Cristian go. He's a solid pitcher and a great presence in the lockerroom. We wish we could have held on to him, but he was a key to making this deal work."

Joshua Elders was significantly more excited by the trade. "I've been told that Covington plans to use me as a starting pitcher, which is what I've always wanted to do. I've made some spot starts in the past and I'm looking forward to moving into the rotation full time." Elders has pitched only six innings all year, despite being healthy and on the major league roster the whole time, as he unexpectedly found himself as one of the last men out of the bullpen. He has a career 4.07 ERA in almost 250 innings of work, which bodes well for his future.

Elias Viers is also eagerly packing his bags for the Demons. After years of backing up John Willer, the career .300 hitter is expected to start at third base for the Demons for the remainder of the year. "I've been waiting to get off the bench and show everyone I'm at least as explosive as that big Willie," announced Viers.

"Josh and Elias have been key contributors for several years to the Monarchs success. Unfortunately for them, we added depth this year that cut into both of their opportunities to get on the field. I'm glad that they will have the chance to shine for Covington this year and help bring the Demons out of their funk. We wish them nothing but the best," said Shultz.

Seattle also sent Kenneth Byers to the Demons. Byers had blossomed on the mound for the Kent Kings this year and was in the process of reporting to Double-A Olympia when word of the deal came down. He is ranked in the top 25 prospects in all of baseball and goes to a franchise starved for credible minor league pitching.

Curiously for a team in contention, Seattle dealt all of these players plus next year's second round pick without any expectation of improving this year's roster. Mohammed "Bingo" Stelly is a prime talent who covers a tremendous amount of ground in the outfield, but has hit just .195 in 41 at bats in AA since being selected first in this year's draft and receiving more than $2 million as a signing bonus. "We obviously believe Bingo's bat will come around. How can he not hit? After all, Bingo is his name-o," explained Shultz to a groaning press corps. "We also obviously hope to pick up another talented player with the first round pick next year."

It will be interesting to see if Seattle's gamble backfires this year and hands the division title to the red-hot Brooklyn Wolves. With only a one game lead at the time of the trade, it's unusual for Seattle to turn yet another starting rotation spot to a rookie. Although Izzie Frau has done well so far, it's rare for a title contender to rest its hope on so many untried arms. Frau and Diehl are in their first year in the majors while McGreevey and Hester are also awfully inexperienced. Hopefully those green arms will bring back the golden prize for the first time in Monarchs history.