[dgally]

Putting the dead in deadline.

July starts knowing we need to do some deals. Bryan is off the table with his contract and no trade clause. Gibson is someone we'd like to move but we'd prefer to move Velez who costs about 12/m more. Bonilla is also on the list. I'm using foreshadowing here.

July 1st is our final game against Guadalupe. This years ootp seems weighted for batters to do real damage in the 9th. They score 5 in the 9th but we hold off for a 9-8 win. 1-0

Our next series is at home against Managua where we split a 4 game series. Velez picks up his first W. 2-2

Next up is a 6 game road trip. First in Guatemala then Chicago where we take 2 of 3 in each series for a great road trip 4-2

At this time, most trades for Velez are coming in at 80% retainer. That's laughable. Bad contracts or supplemental options seem our only option whether it's a star or top prospect.

On the six game homestand, we give up the game we picked up on the roadtrip against two + .500 teams in Juarez and Phoenix. We win 1 in each series to go 2-4

Buck, Bryan, and English are our All-Stars for the year.

Our last big stretch is on the road. Three against Naucalpan, which I always spell wrong on the manager card. And then Tlalnepantla which I couldn't find on a map. Two below .500 teams we sadly split, losing two to Nauca and winnning two at Tlal. 3-3

The last game of the season and deadline day is against. Guadalajara. We take the win there. 1-0

Another .500 month as we go 12-12. The real stat that jumps out at me though is our one run games. 11-20. Not good.
Jaden McWilliams, whom we traded for via Figueroa and Newman, is a bright spot. 4-1 in 5 starts with a 1.42 ERA and 31 K's.

Deadline day goes down to the last second for us. We can't seem to get rid of anyone. But, finally, we get a bite. We get someone who'll take the whole of Velez's contract. We deal him and Bonilla for our future (hopeful) closer and a 1b who has some utility. We didn't realize but he is on a contract year so, we may let him walk.

Next update will be later in the week due to travels.

Velez pitches only 43 games for us in 2.5 years, going 13-15 with a 3.16 ERA. Bonilla gave us 8.8 WAR over but only .4 this season and had seen several periods of regression. Plus, a FA. Sadly, we weren't able to replace him in CF. The teams laughed at when I thought we offered too much.

Playoff hopes are probably dashed with our diminished offense and pitching now. But. Hope. Enos, our #3 is progressing finally. We have money now to sign Crecelius, English and Buck (we hope. Him winning another Cy Young could make it hard.) But still, with that core, we might have enough to make a run. 2029, 2030.