Rebuilding?

After an early exit in playoff, the Jokers need to take big décisions. They loose money even if they did make the playoff. It was clear that Juan Ramirez will go and the team really hesitate about Maurice Gould status. Since he void his last option year, he could have been free on the market too.  They discuss a bit with some teams about the possibility to trade him but they don't receive an offer who satisfy the demands; a Young promising SP. The story could end bad but finally Gould signed a contract and another year begins.

For the Jokers, it's time to think about a turn-around. St.Johns is not getting younger, same for Tracy, two of the best bats for the team. But the farm system produce well for the hitting part. This year, Katsuhiko Yamamoto is a great revelation for everyone in Vegas except chief scout: Warren Barnes. In 2013 draft, the team had a very good position, 7th overall. On Barnes list, many SP but one hitter emerge cleary on top of others: Yamamoto. The team decide to go with a SP; Buddy Wills and Barnes never think that Yamamoto may still be available with Vegas 2nd pick, the 33 overall but he was. Barnes say that this pick was the easiest he ever made and this year, Yamamoto prove him right. A .333 average; 35 homers and 100 RBI, a kind of season every players dream about; and we're just in august so Yamamoto will continu to punish SP for many more weeks.

GM Neveu say that Yamamoto start a rebuilding process in Vegas where the team would like to stay competitve. Our top SP, Gould, Scott and Barret are all in late 20 or early 30 so it's not really a problem right now. We were more worried about the outfield situation where Ramirez, Tracy, Thornton and St.Johns were quickly starting to get older. Tracy and Thornton are already past their prime, Ramirez play in Mile High. But the farm system answer well. Yamamoto is already a star and an another one is waiting in AAA: Doug Manning. He's another youngster who provide a lot of power. The team plan to let him finish the year in AAA even if he could step up right now in the lineup. GM Neveu say that he truly believe that spot number 4 and 5 in lineup are under control for many years and we may have another big bat on the mix if Octavio Garcia become the hitter Warren barnes expect. We could see more points in Vegas in the next years that what we saw the last four and if you think that Vegas was a offensive powerhouse in TML, it sound great for a Jokers Fan. However, the team still miss another very good SP to complete a trio with Gould and Scott. But with the finance under control at the end of the year with the departure of Thornton, Tracy and O'connor, we may be in a good situation to move.

So, all seems to go in a bright direction for the Jokers... still need to win a championship!

Yamamoto: rookie of the year?

Yamamoto and Manning, the core of Vegas attack in a near future