Seattle Parts with Beloved Veterans and Bolsters Rival

"It's a really, really, really tough day for us here," said a glum-faced Mack Shultz. "It's hard to trade two players who are such an integral part of what we do here in Seattle, what we've done. It's the right thing to do, both for us and for them, but it's just hard."

Seattle traded starting pitcher Enrico "Whistler" Hernandez and shortstop Dewey Wilson to Brick in exchange for three draft picks and three prospects.

Hernandez has been one of the greatest starting pitchers in league history, winning 227 games over 13 years for Seattle. He also may be in the midst of his greatest season ever, going 16-2 with a 3.07 ERA this year. Wilson has been Seattle's starting shortstop for most of the last seven years, before being displaced in a trade earlier this year with Brick.

"I remember trading 13 years ago for a first-round pick in the hopes that we would have a chance to land Whistler," said Shultz. "He was a tremendous pitcher, even then. Luckily he fell to us, moved quickly through the minors, and everyone knows the rest of the story." A quick glance at the league career leaderboards establishes Hernandez's spot in history. He ranks sixth all time in wins, second in winning percentage, fourth in shutouts, and tenth in strikeouts.

Meanwhile, Wilson has hit .300 over his eight-year career while Seattle's infield defense through their recent title runs.

In return for the two stars, Seattle received Brick's first, third, and fourth round picks next year; shortstop Jesus Souza (who was traded from Seattle to Brick earlier this year); A-ball outfielder Michael Erwin; and rookie-league reliever Francisco Flores.

EDITED TO ADD: Seattle also sent $7 million in small unmarked bills to the Brick's owner's Swiss bank account. Seems totally above board.