EVERETT -- The Everett AquaSox are about to land in town.
The first wave of AquaSox coaches and players for the 2009 Northwest League season are scheduled to arrive in Everett this afternoon.
Veteran minor-league manager John Tamargo takes the reins of the short-season single-A ballclub this season, Everett's fourth different manager in the past four seasons. He arrives today along with coaches Bob MacDonald and Rich Dorman, as well as a group of Seattle Mariners prospects who have spent the past 10 weeks at extended spring training at Seattle's complex in Peoria Ariz. Among those who played for Everett last season who could be among that group include infielders Jharmidy De Jesus and Ben Billingsley, and outfielders Welington Dotel and Ryan Royster.
That group will be augmented by players from last week's Major League Baseball entry draft. Players drafted out of college who sign quickly are likely candidates for Everett.
The AquaSox are expected to hold their first workout Tuesday evening at Everett Memorial Stadium. The Sox warm up for the season with the sixth annual Everett Cup on Thursday, an exhibition game against the semipro Everett Merchants. The season opens Saturday at Vancouver, with Everett's first home game on June 23 against Spokane.
