Hello Chaff, Any Wheat In There?

The list for the Re-Entry Draft is out. Any interesting targets for United?

Ante Jazic: To old (36 before 2012 season starts) and too expensive ($115k salary), but plays a position of need. This would be an extreme reach, even at a reduced salary in Stage 2.

Bobby Boswell: Way too expensive ($210k salary) and we’re probably set with McDonald and Jakovic in the middle of defense, but … Jakovic struggles to stay healthy and will be doing qualifier duty for Canada next year if healthy. White proved himself capable as a rookie and Russell can fill in if needed, so again, a stretch1.

Hunter Freeman: I know we just acquired Russell and both are natural right backs, but both can play on the left as well where the likely departure of Burch2 leaves us with only the mediocre-at-best Woolard. That said, doesn’t seem like a “Benny” kinda guy. And $150k? Bit steep.

Adam Cristman: Hahahahaha! Just seeing if you’re paying attention.

Kheli Dube: Not really that interesting, but $90k when we’re jettisoning half of our current crop of forwards is. Would smack a bit of desperation despite that.

Pat Phelan: $60k for backup/cover for Kitchen at d-mid? Maybe. How’s he doing with the concussions?

Carlos Mendes: Direct from the enemy, but a solid veteran presence who can play across the entire back line. $100k salary.

Jean Alexandre: Still raw after three years in the league and a brute to boot, but a solid physical presence, cheap ($42k?) and can slot in at a number of positions.

Nelson Gonzalez: Interesting player and cheap ($42k). Wonder what the sticking point with RSL is? And isn’t he on loan from Quilmes?

Bobby Convey: Huge ($300k+) salary is a major roadblock and didn’t leave on the best of terms, but could be an interesting left back option at a (much) lower salary.

Nate Jaqua: See Dube, Kheli … though a bit less of a stretch. $140k is too much.

Jonathan Leathers: Cheap ($42k) back line depth. Less appealing with Russell in the fold.

Keep in mind that the salary figures listed here are for 2011, so any Stage 1 draftees will likely be above, if not well above, the listed figures. Remember Ngwenya was listed at something like $77k last year, and we ended up paying him more than double that.

With all of that said, I’m not seeing any names, even in that reduced short list, that are hugely tempting.

You?

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1. Unless, of course, you factor in that we were willing to snap up another Houston reject, Ngwenya, last year and pay him over $150k. Sigh. ↩

2. Finally. ↩