Late Winter Deal Brings Mega-Prospect Trout Home

Post date: Feb 8, 2012 11:00:36 PM

Millville, New Jersey's Mike Trout brought home by A's in mega-prospect deal

"We really thought we were done dealing" said GM Matt Veasey. "Then I thought, why not take a shot, it can't hurt." Thus began a days-long series of negotiation sessions with Rayne GM Perry Sanchez resulting in a 7-prospect mega deal that brought uber-phenom Mike Trout home to the Philly area.

The Athletics GM had inquired as to the availability of Trout, considered widely as one of the 2-3 top prospect talents in baseball, a couple of times over the last couple seasons, only to be immediately rebuffed by Sanchez. But as the 2012 Winter Meetings wound down, Veasey decided to take one more shot.

"I really thought that our minor league system was strong enough to get a deal done, and we had a great comparable lead piece to the deal in Desmond Jennings" said Veasey, referring to the highly regarded outfielder who ended up being a main piece traded to the Bayou in the deal.

The process apparently began with the A's making an initial offer, but then quickly upping the ante in an improved and expanded package. Rayne seemed receptive to the parameters of the deal, but was reportedly concerned with their own ability to take on extra players into what is already one of the WFBL's top minor league systems.

Sanchez looked over the offer and discussed it with his highest level advisers, and when Veasey opted to make a final change to the offer, switching in pitching prospect Sonny Gray in place of another arm (reportedly LSU pitcher Kevin Gausmann), the Rayne GM gave his approval.

"We knew we were giving up a boatload of talent" said Veasey. "But that's what it takes to land a talent of the magnitude and respect that this young man (Trout) brings to our organization." The final deal saw the A's send Jennings, Gray, outfielder Mikie Mahtook, pitchers Martin Perez and Jed Bradley, and a pair of high Amateur Draft choices to the Cajuns for Trout and lefty pitcher John Lamb.

"We like Lamb too" said manager Buck Showalter. "He was very highly regarded before having Tommy John surgery, and now he's on his way back. We think he is going to bounce back all the way in time, and it's always good to get a talented arm when you've given a few up."

Trout was born and raised in Millville, New Jersey, just 45 miles from Philadelphia and halfway between Philly and the club's AAA affiliate in Wildwood. "I love the Philly-South Jersey area, it's home" said Trout. "I'll be close to family and friends. It might seem like more pressure and distraction, but I think it will be just the opposite. I have a lot of support here, and I'm very happy this happened. It's an unreal dream, to tell you the truth."

Trout is going to come to Spring Training next month with fellow phenom outfielder Bryce Harper, and both players will be given a real shot to open the season in the A's outfield. "We'll give them a shot and see what happens, but in any event, you can expect to see both of these young men in Philly before too long" said Showalter.

The long term plan is for the 20-year old Trout to patrol centerfield between 19-year old Harper in left and 22-year old slugger Mike Stanton in right. "If we're right about these guys, our fans are going to be enjoying these guys playing together here for a long time to come" said Veasey. "Our organization is excited, we have a lot of great young talent, and we're looking forward even more to our future now."

Realistically, both Trout and Harper may begin the season at Wildwood for some final seasoning before getting a call to the A's at some point in the summer. If that is the case, the club will select a couple of outfielders to begin the 2012 regular season. But it won't be long before A's fans have an exciting, talented young outfield trio to enjoy.