RSL just used their 3rd pick (17 overall) on 5'5" Alex Nimo, a 17 year old GA middie. I actually am ok (just ok) with this pick, as he sounds like a decent prospect, but he's certainly a look to the future when RSL needs help now. I also read one thing on him that compared his game to Freddy Adu's, and we all know how well that worked out...
Overall, a TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE draft from RSL. I am done. I don't even care who they get at 37 at this point. Tony Beltran at number 3 is insanity. Both players who were widely thought to be the two best bets for the number one pick were still on the board, and we take Beltran. Not James. Not Nyarko (who would be a godsend for our very thin forward line). Beltran. I watched a bit of the U-20 tourney last summer. Beltran did not impress me at all. Hopefully this will somehow pan out, but I don't see it. I'll take Kipre at right back over Beltran 105 out of 100 times.
Then, RSL has TWO shots at pre-draft consensus top 3 Eric Avila. And pass on him twice. Horst is unnecessary with the sudden wave of defensive signings. Why not take Avila there? We have 3 attacking mids. One who can't play more than 45 min (Williams), 1 who is penciled in at forward (Espindola), and 1 who has shown flashes but that's all (Morales). And we take Horst. Honestly.
All in all, there's a slight chance I will eat these words (and I hope I do), but as for now I NEVER EVER EVER want to hear another word about picking Besagno. This is as bad, if not far worse. My patience for Jason and Garth is growing thinner by the day. What a joke. I'm done. Enjoy #37 everybody...
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Chris Seitz on the block?
Steve Goff is reporting today that some teams have inquired with RSL about the possibility of trading Chris Seitz. Do I think there is a chance in hell of RSL trading Seitz away? No. But as a fun hypothetical, here is what I would want for him (and yes, it is a ton. As will be Seitzy's transfer fee when he heads to Europe.):
Package 1: Two PERMANENT international slots to make up for the ones that were short-sightedly traded away. And perhaps a small allocation/draft picks on top of that if we are trading with someone stupid like Colorado.
Package 2: One permanent international slot and 2 of the following:
(a) 5-10 year international slot
(b) 2-3 unconditional 1st round draft picks
(c) an allocation of at least $150,000
(d) a high-level (but not necessarily star) MLS player
Package 3: A star MLS player OR two high-level players plus a sell-on clause on Seitz of at least 10-15%
Are these outrageous asking prices? Absolutely. But consider what a commodity RSL would be trading away. Not only is Chris Seitz about as close as you can get to being a lock to be a future star, but his transfer value will be huge. If Troy Perkins pulls $750,000, look for Seitz to pull 3 mil or so. With that being said, if I get offered one of these packages (or something similar), I pull the trigger immediately. Thoughts?
ps-Tomorrow, Friday 1/18, is the MLS Superdraft. The first round airs on ESPN2 from noon to 1 pm (mountain; 2 to 3 for you back east), with coverage to follow on MLSnet.com. Set your VCRs/Tivos/eyes accordingly.
Package 1: Two PERMANENT international slots to make up for the ones that were short-sightedly traded away. And perhaps a small allocation/draft picks on top of that if we are trading with someone stupid like Colorado.
Package 2: One permanent international slot and 2 of the following:
(a) 5-10 year international slot
(b) 2-3 unconditional 1st round draft picks
(c) an allocation of at least $150,000
(d) a high-level (but not necessarily star) MLS player
Package 3: A star MLS player OR two high-level players plus a sell-on clause on Seitz of at least 10-15%
Are these outrageous asking prices? Absolutely. But consider what a commodity RSL would be trading away. Not only is Chris Seitz about as close as you can get to being a lock to be a future star, but his transfer value will be huge. If Troy Perkins pulls $750,000, look for Seitz to pull 3 mil or so. With that being said, if I get offered one of these packages (or something similar), I pull the trigger immediately. Thoughts?
ps-Tomorrow, Friday 1/18, is the MLS Superdraft. The first round airs on ESPN2 from noon to 1 pm (mountain; 2 to 3 for you back east), with coverage to follow on MLSnet.com. Set your VCRs/Tivos/eyes accordingly.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Quick Update aka Why I'm Not Sold on the Esky Trade
Hey all, hope the holiday season treated you (and your wallets) kindly. I have a bunch of little nuggets floating around in my head for the review (thoughts on Garth, things I'd do if I ran RSL, Ben Cup pictures, etc.), but nothing fully fleshed out. I did want to give a quick update on one thing that is reportedly about to be finalized, and that is the trade of Alecko Eskandarian to Chivas USA for a $125k allocation. Now I fully understand that as a striker, Esky's 2007 season was dismal at best. However, there are a few things about this trade that unnerve me.
1-I have a feeling that Esky is due for a comeback season. This is based on nothing, just a hunch, but still.
2-This leaves us with a striker corps of: Robbie Findley (yay, maybe he'll get some playing time now!), Fabian Espindola aka Espi (almost more of an attacking mid, somewhat inconsistent, but decent), Yura Movsisyan (young, yes, but I didn't see much last year. Like Esky, but slower), Kyle Brown (I like his enthusiasm, but is he MLS ready yet?), and, technically, Jamie Watson (solid backup, but Jason & Garth hate him for whatever reason and he won't be back). This does not instill me with a lot of confidence. They better have a striker lined up somewhere... Maybe Archie??? :D
3-The allocation does us no good since RSL seems to be reluctant to sign anybody who makes more than $25 a month.
4-With the right coaching (I know, I know), I could see Esky making a transition to a solid attacking mid, something this team could use more of.
5-Say what you will about the end results, but in many of RSL's games last year, Esky was the only one making any sort of effort. He fills a "leadership-by-example" role that will be extremely difficult for RSL to fill, especially when combined with the loss of Eddie Pope.
I'm just not sold on the benefits of this trade. Hopefully RSL will take the money and go get another striker and put me at ease, but as of right now, I'm not sold on this one.
1-I have a feeling that Esky is due for a comeback season. This is based on nothing, just a hunch, but still.
2-This leaves us with a striker corps of: Robbie Findley (yay, maybe he'll get some playing time now!), Fabian Espindola aka Espi (almost more of an attacking mid, somewhat inconsistent, but decent), Yura Movsisyan (young, yes, but I didn't see much last year. Like Esky, but slower), Kyle Brown (I like his enthusiasm, but is he MLS ready yet?), and, technically, Jamie Watson (solid backup, but Jason & Garth hate him for whatever reason and he won't be back). This does not instill me with a lot of confidence. They better have a striker lined up somewhere... Maybe Archie??? :D
3-The allocation does us no good since RSL seems to be reluctant to sign anybody who makes more than $25 a month.
4-With the right coaching (I know, I know), I could see Esky making a transition to a solid attacking mid, something this team could use more of.
5-Say what you will about the end results, but in many of RSL's games last year, Esky was the only one making any sort of effort. He fills a "leadership-by-example" role that will be extremely difficult for RSL to fill, especially when combined with the loss of Eddie Pope.
I'm just not sold on the benefits of this trade. Hopefully RSL will take the money and go get another striker and put me at ease, but as of right now, I'm not sold on this one.
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