Now THAT Is a Mid-Season Acquisition!

SEATTLE (AP).

The Seattle Monarchs, after carefully building up the strongest minor league system and collection of young talent, dealt away four significant players to acquire Chad Nelligan from Hickory today. "It's a deal that signals we're trying to win it all this year and to heck with the three-year plan," said General Manager Mack Shultz. "We feel that Nelligan is the top starter in the game, even counting that no-good-POS Ramirez."

Nelligan, who was voted SDMB OOTP All World Starting Pitcher last year after being totally screwed over by the Adams League Pitcher of the Year voters, was elated to join the Monarchs. "I've heard about a golden land, where offenses score runs for pitchers and those pitchers are afforded leads from time to time. I look forward to that new experience," said Nellie.

In return, Seattle dealt away the top starting pitching prospect in the all of the minors, Richard "Crazylegs" Shipp, young outfielder Lowell Maclin, budding prospect outfielder Isaac McGahan, and starting pitcher prospect Joe Remer. In all, the deal included three former first round picks (Shipp, McGahan, and Remer).

"I know, I know, it's a lot to give up, but Mark Nelms, the general manager for Hickory, beat me to a pulp. The guy just wore down my will," explained Shultz. "We weren't looking to add starting pitching, but when someone like Nelligan becomes available, you need to jump at the chance. He emailed me and asked if I had interest and we just went from there."

As part of the deal, Seattle also moved up one round in next year's draft, trading its fourth round pick to Hickory in exchange for Hickory's third round selection.

Is that it for the Mighty Monarchs, who are continually reshaping their roster? Time will tell, but this savvy reporter notices weakness in the middle infield and wonders if Shultz will turn his constantly roving eye in that direction.