Big trades at deadline for the Jokers

So, the Jokers made two big moves at trade deadline. In his press conference, GM Neveu said that it was time to trade some vets and obtains some good young players to help the Jokers in future years. The GM told the press that he waited as long as he could to see if the team get back on track but with 8 games below .500, it was time for a major shake-up.

First: He send the 34 years old ace Bob Rudyard along with Bob Reece and AAA Chris Mills to obtain the CF Gordon Thornton, MR Ray Brady and C Alfredo Villalobos. This 19 years old backstop could be the key of the trade. Las vegas scout see a great potential in him and the team wish he could become a power hitter in a couple of years. Brady will help to stabilise a bullpen that did not deliever this year. Finally, Gordon Thornton was obtain because Montreal couldn't live with Rudyard contract without giving a big one in return. The high priced centerfield never fullfill the exectations in Montreal, maybe a change of scenery will help him. Las Vegas really think that this trade will help the team to come back stronger next year.

Gordon Thornton
Will he play better in Vegas? The talent is there... that's for sure...

The second trade was made with Maple. The team let go two good players in Jennings (1B) and Coleman (MR) but obtain the young 3B Veton Zhugli and MR Ernie Kuhn. Las Vegas scout saw Zhugli very high and think he could anchor the 3B for many years. He project to be a very solid hitter with a possibly gold glove in defense. Coleman is a very good reliever but he didn't play well this year when Barrett was injuried. Same for Jennings, who start to hit well in june but was very cold in april and may. We'll see what they'll do in Maple. Again, this trade was made in a 2 years perspective...

Veton Zhugli
Will he become an all-star 3B?

So, Las vegas will probably suffer this year, loosing 4 regulars but we believe that the future is brighter now then it was at the start of the year. The Jokers have a good foundation with Maurice Gould, Colin St.John and Phillip Smith, now they need to develop theses youngsters into very good players to be back in division race next year. GM Neveu was a bit surprise to see the reaction of the fans, who seems to accept theses moves even if this put a cross over this season. But, the team must play better next year and young players need to show some improvement...

Inconstancy and availability

Inconstancy, that's the word who describe the most the season of the Jokers. Except Maurice Gould, who shine as the best SP of the league, the others players are just so-so. After going 5-0 in Montreal and Minnesota, the Jokers felt 1-6 to rebound with a 4-3 and 4-2 weeks. The only positive things is that the division leader is still close (only 3 games) and Las Vegas can hope to be at the top at the end of september.  Bob Rudyard came back from injury and pitched very well but the team loose is best hitter, Colin St.John. Even if it's a big blow, the team need to start winning more regularly and let the excuse aside, all team have injury. Just look Maple who still in first place with most of his starting rotation on the clinic.

Las vegas could hope for a comeback and win his division but right now, we can consider them a legitimate contender for the cup. So, that leave GM Neveu in a difficult position. Does he start trading some good vets to rebuild some part of the team or he continue with his current lineup and hope Jennings, Stevens, Smith and his relief start to play better. We really thing that every player over 30 could be deal for the right price... With many teams who can legitimely believe to bring home the cup, maybe a Kevin Carey or a Bob Rudyard could be the missing piece... We really thing that the GM could move if he receive a good 2B, 3B or young SP...

On the market????

Kevin Carey, .314

Bob Rudyard 2.62 era

Lee Stevens

The future, part I

September... The Jokers are struggling in ABL.  Even with 2 good pitchers on disabled list, the bad sequence result more in a slump from the offense. But, it's just the beginning of the season and fans are not so worry right now. But two teams in minor lead their divisions: The Reno Raiders in AAA and the Victoria Vikings in the A. Let's see which youngsters may wear the Vegas uniform in a couple of years.

A

The Victoria Vikings are hot. They play for .720 in the season and 840 at home. But we you look the roster, they're not a superstar on the team... it's really a team matter that produce wins. In our scout eyes, two young pitchers played very weel.

Brent Welch: 2-0, 1,51 The 4th pick in this year draft started very well his career. In his first year as a pro, he's already the number 1 SP in Victoria. We think that some times in minor will help him to become a number 3 or 4 SP in ABL

Kokei Watanabe: 3-0, 8SV 0,79 The Japanese closer was a 20 round pick in 2012 draft. Right now, he's absolutely dominant on the mount. A Southpaw, he may become a middle relievers in a couple of years. Right now, he's one of the reason the Vikings are cruising in first place.

Next text: The Reno Raiders....