Q&A with Vegas GM about the Gould Trade

-By trading Maurice Gould, i'm quite sure that you know you won't be popular in Vegas the next few weeks...

Neveu: Yes i know. But we were going nowhere this year so we need to think about future. Gould have 31 and a huge contrat, we decide to trade him while he's got a good value. I really think that is better to trade a player one year to fast then one year to late...

-Do you have many discussion for Gould?

Neveu: A bit but we had to decide if we wanted quantity or quality. In fact, two teams made pretty good offers. South Carolina offer 3 good pitchers for Gould while Montréal offer two superstars, but only one pitcher. We decide to go with Montréal offer because we think that Latulippe will become a great pitcher. He's young and lefty, a pretty good asset in our stadium. Masaki Baba is already a star, a tremendous hitter who will fit very well in our lineup. And we receive Alvarado, a Young infielder with a lot of power. Our scout like him very well. So we decide to take this direction and really think that we need to move right now. I'm sure Gould will give Montréal 4 or 5 good years and with Barrett make them a threat for the title this year.

- Did the nego was easy with Montréal?

Neveu: No, the team didn't want to trade Latulippe and Baba. They talk about another SP and AU in outfield. Au is a very good hitter but at 26, he's 3 years older then Baba. So we insist to put Latulippe and Baba in the deal, what was not in Montréal plan. The nego really start to become a reality when we add Barrett, who could start or be in bullpen. At this time, Montréal put the name of Latulippe in the deal. I'm suppose that is not easy to trade a family member for the GM but we made it clear, without Latulippe, no deal is possible with Montréal.

- What's next now?

Neveu: We're still looking to upgrade our pitching. We have many good hitter now and we could trade one of our outfielder or a first baseman in a trade. We'll see what team will want a good hitter near the trade deadline and try to obtain something good. We're open to many ideas...

What a shocker: Gould is gone!!!!

What an annoce made today by the team: Maurice Gould is going north.

 

A long season?

A new season who could be long in Vegas. The team decide to give youngsters more opportunities and let some good vets go. Last year it was Ramirez, this year, it was Jeff Wade and Charles O'connor. The GM didn't do anything on free agent or trade market. He filled the hole with youngsters  in the organisation. Right now, the result isn't really bright: a 9-10 records, already 5 games behind K-C and Eureka.

The attack is doing the job being the best in TML for average and homers. But, like always, the problem is the pitching staff who gave more runs then the team scores. But we'll see if the pitching staff, mostly the reliever could turn thing around a little bit and help the team to gain grounds on the leaders of the division. Right now, the bullpen have 7 of the 10 defeats of the team... a good closer would have been a great addition.

But there's bright light in the young players on the team. Particulary in the outfield where Bruce Joyner (CF) play like an all-star. A .361 average with 4 HR and 9 RBI is very good, more then expected. In right field, Nick McBride is playing well too and that gives the opportunities to put Colin St.John DH. St.John who has been injuried many times in last two years is better suited to DH role. In left field, Yamamoto, best rookie last year, continue is excellent job with a .373 average with 7HR (league best) and 21 RBI.

In the infield, Veton Zhugli finally become a regular in third base and lock the hot corner with great defensive skills. Adrian Brown at SS is a nice surprise, hittng .323 with superb defense. He pushed Erik Bennett, former SS, out of Vegas.

Will see if Vegas can turn things a bit and come back in the race or if it will be a transition year. Right now, the second scenario seems the most probable.

Bruce Joyner, a pleasant surprise in CF