While the trade deadline is still a month away I know that the Expos are not going anywhere this year, and that isn't expected. Because of that this year is really about the future, that makes our veteran players expendable, given the right deal. Despite building for the future, there are also some of our prospects that are available because they don’t fit my long term vision, such as poor defenders or guys that I don't think we'll make it.
We completed a trade at the end of June with the Rays with an eye toward the future. I stumbled on CF John Bradshaw of the Rays and he became a priority for me to acquire. He's a potential impact bat, who got 72 at-bats last year with the Rays in September, hitting .222 with 6 home runs as the #8 best prospect in baseball.
Going to Tampa was 3B Jack Dunlap, 2B Pete Woolford, SS Juan Menendez, SS Mario Ruiz, CF Gerard Robert and $2.9 million in cash. Menendez was ranked the 99th best prospect in baseball, and Ruiz should rank somewhere close behind. Robert was a lower level prospect, but I have concern with the defense of all three players. Dunlap is a veteran on an expiring contract. He'll be hard to replace at third base this year, but I'm not going to let dealing a 36 year old on an expiring contract stop this deal. I have mixed feeling about including Pete Woolford. He's on pace for his worst season since his rookie season, and isn't happy in Montreal. He's signed to one more year and a player option after this year, and I think he'll turn things around.
In addition to Bradshaw, we received back a trio of prospects - SP Carlos Morales, SP Chris Stark, and 2B Logan Lawson. Bradshaw was the big piece, but the other three players are all 2 star potential.
That trade did leave us with a gaping hole at third base, which led to another deal with the Orioles. Going to Baltimore was 27 year old centerfielder Franklin Conner, relievers Cesar Garza, Larry Hammond, and starting pitcher Eduardo Escobar. Conner is the best of the bunch, and also not happy in Montreal.
Coming back to Montreal is 3B Tim Fitzgerald, SP Craig Kessler, and relievers Jason McKenzie and Alex Ball. I don't think Fitzgerald is a long term solution, just a stopgap, but I think McKenzie and Ball could be valuable relievers.
It was our first winning month in Montreal going 15-12 though. As we head into the trade deadline SP RJ Rogers, SP Alberto Mendoza, and closer Bryan Wilson will be on the block in the right deal.
