July started with the Expos winning both of the remaining two games versus the Marlins before being swept in four games by the Cardinals. At this point, I promoted SP Dobashi and activated RP Sandborn from his rehab assignment. I also traded away 3B Mendoza in what amounted to a salary dump as he was not performing near a level that deserved a qualifying offer. I promoted 3B Jon Chris who spent all of last year in the minors after making his debut in 2026. I also learned that C Lopez would miss the next 6-7 weeks with an injury. I recalled C Rodriguez.
The Expos then won 1 of 3 versus the Cubs, 2 of 3 versus the Cubs, and2 of 3 versus the Pirates. SP Gutierrez and RP Beddingfield both made the National League All Star squad.
The Expos closed the month wit wins in 1 of 3 versus the Diamondbacks, 2 of 3 versus the Giants, 2 of 3 versus the Reds, and 1 of 3 versus the Braves.
As the trade deadline approached, the Expos were a few games off the pace for the second wild card spot, so I figured I would need to make a trade to have a chance to make the playoffs. As SP Dobashi continued to struggle in his return to the majors after tearing up the competition at AAA, I make him the key piece in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. I also sent MiLB SP Kolb to Boston in return for SS Ozhanio Albies, MiLB SS Frank Gillette, and $6 million. Albies is the big get for me as he is a great shortstop defensively and hits decently, mostly for average. The included $6 million covers the remainder of this salary for this year and he is under contract at $18 million for one more season after this one. He should be a good stabilizing presence in my infield and should hopefully be a good influence next year on top prospect SS Warren, who looks to be a mid-season call up rather than ready to start in MLB at the beginning of next year.
This trade should improve the defense all around as Flores will move to 3B where he could improve to above average defensively, and Chris will move to 2B where he is great defensively. 2B Draxler was demoted back to AAA and Womble took Dobashi's spot in the rotation.
Here are the batting performances for the month:
There weren't many notable performances this month, but 1B Garza, CF Stark, and SS Flores led the way.
And the pitchers:
SP Diplan, SP Caballero, and SP Gutierrez had good results out of the rotation while SP Killough was a bit unlucky comparing his ERA to FIP. RP Takara and RP Crose had outstanding months in the bullpen.
Next, I will look at the updated top 30 prospects list with draft and trade additions included...