February 11, 2009 - Two-time defending league champ Windy City will go into 2009 without its incumbent right fielder.
On Wednesday, the ThunderBolts dealt Scott Billak to the Lake Erie Crushers for infielder Drew George and other considerations. Billak hit .291 with seven home runs and 55 RBI for the 'Bolts last year.
Southern Illinois moved outfielder Kevin House and infielder Andrew Bennett to Edmonton of the independent Golden League in exchange for future considerations.
Outfielder Willie Keene was traded twice in barely a week and ended up with his fourth team in six months after a series of moves. Gateway, which acquired Keene in a deadline deal with the Miners last season, traded him, along with lefty Adam Revelette, to Calgary of the Golden League for right-hander Nathan Melek on Jan. 26. On Feb. 2, the Vipers dealt both former Grizzlies to Orange County of the Golden League for outfielder Mark Okano.
The Washington Wild Things picked up infielder Chris Spiers from the Crushers in exchange for their second-round pick in May's tryout-camp draft. The Things also dealt lefty Brooks Dunn and righty J.J. Hollenbeck to New Hampshire of the Can-Am League for infielder Ismael Castro and right-hander Sean Heimpel.
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