http://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2013/11/earthquakes-decline-options-six-players only real eyebrow raisers to me are Gargan and Attakora. What do the moves mean? Releasing Gargan we REALLY better resign Beitashour because if not we have NO plans at right back right now. So right back is all a sudden what central defense was to us last season, we need a body back there. Attakora had upside and he played well when called upon, so that is slightly disappointing, perhaps his option was too pricy. We do have the depth back there with Morrow, Harden, Hernendez, and Muller so it doesnt hurt too badly. Tracy, while the idea was nice, was just too broken down. He was on a minimum, didnt hurt us, we kicked the tires, was a no go, fair enough. Sorry it didnt work out. I suspect Frank will go after both Gargan and Attakora at the right price in the re-entry draft.
Really disappointed that they released Attakora. Maybe they just felt like they couldn't get enough minutes out of him - just couldn't seem to stay healthy. Gargan - I'm a little disappointed. I thought he played well when he had a chance.
Agree with everyone so far. Attakora was starting to play like a boss for us when he got hurt. If he's healthy, he would have made for some serious depth behind Goodson and Big Vic. Less surprised, but still surprised about Gargan. I thought he provided solid professional depth for cup games and possible injuries. Seemed like a cool guy too. Here's hoping this means there's a plan in place for new signings!
These moves don't make all that much impact on cap space. The highest paid player of the bunch was Gargan at ~$88k. Attakora was making only $62k, which seems like an incredible bargain when you consider that Jason is at $208k guaranteed! That's possibly even crazier than Goodson's $340k.
I am disappointed about both Nana and Gargan. We have a strong back line, but only with our current starters. Lose one, and we start to wobble. I liked Gargan and am not sure why he didn't get more minutes.
Yeah, you would think Hernandez would go before Attakora. As far as Gargan goes, maybe they feel they will have no problem finding another player of Stewart's quality.
Put me in the I don't get it column (regarding nana and Gargan) but Doyle is in charge so there you go enough said!
Doyle: "Why keep Attakora or Gargan around, when we have the defending icon that is Hernandez as depth? And only at the bargain price of $200,000! It's a no-brainer." (as in, someone with no brain...)
They could still re-sign these guys, they just declined them at their current contracts. Ramiro had his option declined after last season but still signed with the club for 2013. Attakora and Gargan seem like useful players to keep around, but Attakora has been struggling with injuries and Gargan is a journeyman who I think we could replace anyway. Other than that, not much lost among the other four players. Newton was a decent 3rd keeper, Tracy hasn't been healthy since 2009, McGlynn was barely part of the team this year, and I didn't even realize Pizarro was still around.
I thought Cesar Diaz Pizarro was gone last year. I kind of saw Nana Attakora, Dan Gargan, Evan Newton, Marcus Tracy and Peter McGlynn coming though. It seems like the coaches were lauding Hernandez play towards the second half of the season.
with all the international games muma and goodson are gonna get we are going to give a lot of playing time to our "3rd centerback" so keeping hernandez makes sense if we think he's better than attakora... i think he is at this point we can't rely on attakora if that concussion problem flares up again sad to see gargan go he was solid... we better re-sign beitashour now!
Hernandez should not be around next year, regardless of salary and circumstances. I'd rather start a rookie.
Even if one were to believe that Hernandez is better than Attakora (I think the reverse is true), is he $150k better, 'cause that's about the difference in their salaries? $150 cap space savings is significant. It is practically equivalent to the amount of cap space saved by releasing all 6 of these guys. The only way I can rationalize it is that 1) Attakora seems to be a bit injury prone (though Hernandez is a bit too), and 2) not sure about Attakora - can't really say one way or another, but Hernandez is a guy that you don't have to worry about in terms of attitude / leadership, full commitment to the team, etc.
I think that must be the case: Jason is solid, even if he's solidly mediocre. And my recollection is that in the few times he appeared near the end of the season, the fear-inducing, face palm moments were fewer than they had been. Still, he's hardly a bargain, and I hope they're figuring out a way to get his salary down.
Hernandez had some redeeming games toward the end of the season. So, yeah, I don't mind him staying around as depth. But that salary . . .
Jason may be on a multi-year salary. I'm not sure what the terms of his last agreement are, but it may not have been possible to waive him this year -- just sayin'. Also -- to be fair, he played very well and really stepped up for us during our (ultimately futile) playoff run.
He did, but I think you have to be careful about putting too much weight on "what happened last". His body of work, over the last few years, has not been so great, certainly not $200k great. Same applies to Busch. Had a nice run towards the end of the season, but was generally not very good first part of the season.
I guess $175k is a lot of money for MLS but in reality, its really no whole heck of a lot. Either way with all these guys cut from the books along with Ring and Ramiro and their bonus money gone, I think they can afford Jason.
Oh I thought is was $175 last year. Its still not a great salary. Well for MLS I guess it is but with all their cuts, I'm sure they can afford him.
He did play better. He kept dashing my expectations that he'd hand a goal or two over to the other team with a brain fart and instead he didn't and we had the best run of the league...