Intra-Divisional Trade in Adams League

SEATTLE (AP): July 22, 2009.

Seattle and Saskatoon made a minor deal today. Saskatoon traded outfielder John Sadao to Seattle in exchange for reliever William Maxson and minor league outfielder Timothy Tapscott.

"It's nice to bring John back to Seattle," said assistant GM Eric Lent when announcing the trade. "He was a part of this franchise from its inception until he left for Saskatoon before the start of last year. He's going to fit in well for us as a left-handed pinch hitter and reserve outfielder."

Sadao, contacted by telephone, expressed mixed feelings about his return. "You always want to play every day, and I think I've still got a lot left in the tank, but it's nice to go back to Seattle too. I'll be in a pennant race and the fans there always treated me well."

"Although he pitched well in his call-up earlier this season, we just didn't see a place for Maxson in our bullpen in the foreseeable future. With Contreras, Deschamp, Vallejo, and Sewell out there for at least one more year, we're pretty well covered," explained Lent. "We hope he and Tim get the opportunity in Saskatoon that they may not have gotten here."

After the press conference, a source inside Seattle's front office confided that he thinks that GM Mack Shultz has a serious problem, that he can't help making trades, and that Shultz ought to seek help.