Chows Add an Arm and a Bat

Illinois Times - Are the Chows going to make a run at their second postseason appearance in franchise history?  It is starting to seem that way.  The Chows have traded their 1st and 5th round picks in separate deals.  While holes and question marks remain - the club is better now than it was last week.  However the Chows say they are not "all-in" for this season - rather they are looking at it as the opportunity to start a postseason run of several years.

The deals - Illinois traded its First Round pick for Zack Grienke
Illinois traded its 5th round pick for Josh Reddick

"We centered on guys that would help us this year and the next few years down the road.  Despite his injury Fernandez is absolutely not on the trading block.  Getting Grienke gives us a formidable Big Three in the rotation this year with Zack, Lester and Samrdzija.  We expect Fernandez to be back healthy enough next season to make it a Big Four - he will not have a full season but should be able to qualify for postseason play. Grienke being only 30 years old has a few more good years in the tank. We were leaning toward SP with that first pick - there was not going to be anyone there at 5 that we were as certain on for the next 5 years or so as Grienke.

Josh will be our RF vs. R.  The outfield mix for the Chows is crowded with everyone having a role.  We are going into the draft with Upton, Crawford, Davis and Reddick.  The outfield is not totally set but we saw 5th round as good value for Josh.  He is only 27, plays good D and hits righties very well.  the type of player a contending team should value.  CF continues to be concern at the point.  It is possible the Chows add two more OF before opening day.

Our roster is now set at 16 with two players on the bubble to be our 17th keeper.  We feel we have the flexibility to add one more guy if the right deal comes along.  One more SP, a 2B or a CF would be the guys we would add if available.  Realistically we would be looking to do another pick for player type deal.  Our biggest trading block to a non-contender is probably Gyorko and to be honest he has regressed so much that his value is no longer strong.  We are not interested in trading Fernandez - all trade talks seem to be teams wanting him."