Outlaw Acquires Harden for 2009 Run

Harden: "We're going to Rock the South!"

Outlaw announced the acquisition of ace starting pitcher Rich Harden today. Harden passed the rigorous physical exam insisted on by team officials who were beaming at the prospect of landing a dominant ace. "We're absolutely delighted to have Rich join the staff," announced GM Hildebrant. "We now have a guy who can shut down any team in NASBL when he's healthy. And our doctors assure us that Rich is completely healthy. Our playoff runs in the past always had one gaping hole - an ace who could match up against the opponent's number one. Today we closed that gap"

The young flamethrower will join teammates Jake Peavy, Tim Hudson, Scott Kazmir, and Ryan Dempster in what the Outlaw faithful hope will be the most dominant starting rotation in team history. When questioned about Harden's injury history, and nagging aches and pains to Peavy, Hudson, and Kazmir, pitching coach Curly Q. Link said, "We're going to baby these arms. We plan on drafting a sixth starter and going to a six man rotation. We have enough talent to spread it out. There's no guarantees in this business, but we will do what we can to minimize the chance of injury to all of our aces."

Harden, who carries a 31-17 career record with three different NASBL teams, exclaimed "I'm sad to be leaving a team as great as the Topes. We do have some unfinished business this year then I'll be heading directly to Texas. I'm ecstatic about joining a team with the potential that Outlaw has next year and becoming a cog in that outstanding starting rotation. Mark my words we're going to do some great things in 2009. We're going to Rock the South!

The price was high. Springfield GM Douglas Sherlag insisted on star third sacker Aramis Ramirez. Aramis has been with the Wales since his second round draft selection in 1999. Since then his steady presence in the middle of the Outlaw lineup has racked up 157 HR and 508 RBI. "I'm absolutely stunned," said Ramirez. "I never saw this coming. Outlaw is the only home I've known and I'll miss the great fans and teammates. But baseball is a business. And if I have to go anywhere, Springfield's the place. It's a quality organization and would you believe there's already an Aramis Ramirez fan club in Springfield? In fact more of my jerseys have been sold in Springfield than anywhere outside of Outlaw Pond."

Aramis's big bat will be missed, but Outlaw officials expect Melvin Mora to step into the everyday third base role. He's an experienced veteran whose current health and conditioning position him for a big comeback year. With sluggers Manny Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez, Ryan Ludwick, Alfonso Soriano, Jason Bay, and Dustin Pedroia still around, there's plenty of pop left to back up the big five starters.