Roster Reset | Firing up the Machine

Okay, since we had so much fun with this one last year, I figured we ought to fire up the Roster Reset machine again so we know how many spots we're working with. This first effort is really going to be more list than analysis, and, as ever, feel free to chirp in with corrections or clarifications. Of course, we're doing all of this without knowing if MLS HQ is going to be changing the roster rules yet again and what effect the CBA resolution/back-alley scrap may have... so caveat emptor and all that.

Senior Roster
1.  Josh Wicks, GK
2.  Troy Perkins, GK
3.  (I) Avery John, D - any word on a green card? hope it doesn't matter, but for the sake of completeness...
4.  (I) Julius James, D - still an international, right?
5.  (I) David Habarugira, D
6.  Lawson Vaughn, D
7.  Marc Burch, D
8.  (I) Dejan Jakovic, D
9.  Bryan Namoff, D
10.  Devon McTavish, D/M
11.  Rodney Wallace, D/M - graduated from Generation Adidas at the close of 2009
12.  (I) Cristian Castillo, M
13.  Danny Szetela, M
14.  Clyde Simms, M
15.  (I) Tiyiselani Shipalane, M/F
16.  (I) Christian Gomez, M/F - probably gone, but included until departure confirmed
17.  Chris Pontius, M/F
18.  Santino Quaranta, M/F
19.  (I) Thabiso Khumalo, M/F
20.  Jaime Moreno, F

Developmental Roster
1.  (GA) Bill Hamid, GK
2.  (I) Milos Kocic, GK - any word on his contract? still eligible for Dev Dollars this year
3.  John DiRaimondo, M
4.  Brandon Barklage, M
5.  Jordan Graye, D - we took a local kid so he could live at home on Dev Dollars, right?

GA = Generation Adidas
I = requires international roster spot, maximum of 8 internationals on senior roster, internationals on developmental roster don't count against that total (they must have "adjusted" that last bit midstream 2009 to accomodate somebody, as I don't remember it being there when we did this dance last time around)

A reminder that the total roster is limited to 24 spots, with a maximum of 20 senior roster players. Of course, we're a long way from being done with our acquisitions (I hope!), and a few of those guys probably won't even make it to camp, but it's enough to get the discussion started.

Your move, internet front office!

11 comments:

  1. Not sure if I remember this correctly, but didn't DC acquire an additional International slot last year?

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  2. Wicks is heading out the door. Avery John might not be far behind. Probably depends on the new draftee. The rest will depend on who we acquire south of the border.

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  3. I don't know that Wicks is heading out just yet - the team picked up the option on his contract (per Goff, I think), so he's around for at least the first half of the year. I really think Kocic will be traded for some outfield depth or cash. I don't think Little John (DiRaimondo) will survive past camp.

    Avery John's gotta be shown the door. Everybody seems to assume that Gomez is gone (woo cap space!).

    So that clears up 2 senior spots and 2 dev, assuming everybody else makes camp (minus one slot, maybe, for Kocic's recompense).

    Go go Gadget South American Scouting Trip!

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  4. @Anon numero uno
    I seem to remember that. Of course, this is MLS, so who knows when that slot reverted to its original owner or vanished in a poof of brimstone scented smoke... Anybody else have more solid info?

    @AMT
    RE: Wicks. Then again, we did a new deal with Fred just prior to shipping him to Philly, didn't we? I'm not sure Kocic has any real trade value. Does anybody but us see anything in him?

    And we'd better damn well do something about central midfield depth before we show DiRaimondo the door. Even if he's worthless, at least he's a body that fills that position... unless the plan is McTavish and Wallace as our midfield depth behind Szetela and Simms (shudder)...

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  5. @FB - good point about the contract. I guess all it means is that we're probably not letting him go for nothing. And given that he's hurt and won't be taking part in training camp, the presumption is that he'll make the roster if he's not dealt. My gut tells me there's more interest in Kocic out there than Wicks, especially in light of the Fredystomping.

    (As an aside, is it me, or did Montero manage to get stepped on a lot. Not saying he didn't deserve some of it for his own, subtler antics, but man.)

    I think I'm taking it as a given that the lack of bodies in midfield will be addressed in the coming weeks. I'm also (almost) taking it as a given that those incoming bodies will generally be more useful to the team than DiRaimondo.

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  6. I think signing the guy to a new deal is a standard trade practice - especially with a player like Fred, who certainly has options in other locales.

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  7. Oh, and ... maybe this is just me ... but does anyone else cringe at the phrase 'South American scouting trip' now?

    I'm just hoping this goes better than a couple of years ago, is all.

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  8. While none of us were too satisfied with Wicks as a starting keeper last year, you've got to admit that he would be one of the best backup keepers in the league. As long as Perkins doesn't get injured within the first month or so of the season, I would be perfectly fine with Wicks as our #2.

    I agree with Fullback too on Johnny D. He's still eligible for a developmental roster slot this year, and he played well when given a chance with the Kickers. He could be decent depth for us, but he'll have to beat out whatever rookie trialists we invite to camp.

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  9. Is anyone keeping a running tab on the stockpile of cash we are presumably preparing to burn in South/Central America? Olsen ($200+), Gomez (300+), Fred ($275k) and Emilio ($750ish). I think we have around $1.5m depending on how much we gave Philly to give to Dallas for the 6th pick. Actually, maybe we just gave them Fred's salary of $275 with him.

    What does that buy us? Two decent studs around $600k each or maybe a really cute little forward, an uninspired left back, a statuesque HB and a pretty pricey hernia problem just waiting to happen?

    Please, please, please spend this precious cash wisely. Blowing it on a smattering of latin american duds could set us back for a couple years as with 2008.

    Buen viaje!

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  10. @Shatz
    I only agree with keeping DiRaimondo if we don't have another warm body to fill the slot. I thought he was pretty terrible last year, and I'd only take the chance if he stays on Dev Dollars, we don't have any better options, and he shows well in camp.

    @Jaimebo
    Olsen was a touch higher, Fred a touch lower. We weren't paying all of Gomez's salary (~$200k, I think), and only the first $450k or so of Emilio's contract counted against the cap since he was our DP. Now assume Perkins is on $300k or thereabouts and Castillo maybe $150k (though that's a complete guess, and I'm not really sure how much of his salary we're picking up).

    That still leaves $600-700 to play around with, plus or minus $200k depending on new contracts, guys let go, etc. Of course, that's seat of the pants stuff and doesn't account for what changes the CBA may bring, if any. Still enough to get 2-3 good players though. And we do have Emilio's DP slot in hand...

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  11. @FB
    Thanks! Should be an interesting couple of weeks.

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