Chows Add Big Bat Lose 1st Round Pick

Illinois Times -- Chows GM Brad Sherlag stopped straddling the fence this week and declared the Chows all in for this season. Today the Chows got either their LF or their everyday 1B in the body of Michale Morse. The price was high, but Morse is expected to be a huge bat next season in the NASBL. In Major League Baseball (NASBL's prime developmental league) last season, Morse put up a great season batting over .300, hitting 31 dingers and posting a .910 OPS.

The price was Illinois fan favorite Josh"The Hammer" Willingham, a fan favorite since Illinois drafted him. The Hammer is third all time for the offensively challenged Chows in both HR and RBIs. Illinois also gave up one of their three 1st Round Draft picks - the last pick in Round #1.

"We see this as a pitching heavy, hitter light draft. It is obvious the Chows offense needed a major upgrade. We started that upgrade when we traded for Hafner and it continues with the deal for Morse. I believe 1-6, we are as good as we have ever been offensively. The Chows are still open to trading for a 1B or OF and a top-flite SP. However, our sense of urgency is reduced since we think we can fill our remaining holes in the draft. We still have two 1sts, a 2nd and a 3rd - so we can still improve the club."

The 1-6 Sherlag was referring to are:

Bourn

Reyes

Beltran

Morse

Ramirez

Hafner

Seven through Nine will be the still to be acquired 1B/OF, their 2B and Suzuki. High placed sources in the Chows organization believe Beckham will field well enough for Illinois to give him one more chance.