Illinois raised the white flag of surrender yesterday and looked toward the future by packaging Brian Giles and Josh Johnson for a First Round Draft Pick, Joe Blanton and Chone Figgins. Owner/GM Brad Sherlag said, "Obviously the 1st Round Pick is a big deal to us. We have looked ahead to the draft and project it to be a shallower draft than last year with the talent drying up very early in Round 2. Getting another first rounder helps us snag two quality players. Blanton is a young arm coming back and Figgins should be able to pinch run some for us."

When asked if having Blanton in the rotation instead of Johnson will help the Chows move up in the 1st round with their own pick, Sherlag responded agrily “Morandini will put the best team on the field he can and try and win.”

Many Chows are still rumored to be on the block, most notably Frank Thomas, Bob Wickman, Adam Everett, Kiko Calero, Matt Thornton, David Dellucci and Pedro Feliciano. With the extension of the Block I trade deadline, the Chows hope to make another move before Block II.