2012 Summer Transfer Window Discussion

Plus as a general rule the leauge does not like to promote players to DP levels of money. It weakens there hand for future negotiaitons.

I think that Espinoza is gone. I am biased but he really looked the part and was arguably the best midfielder when Honduras played Spain and Brazil.

He is a total box to box midfielder. He can defend, pass, dribble, shoot, hold the ball.

I think most of us will agree with you on your points. I think we're expecting Espinoza gone sooner than later.

that would be enraging, if the overlords decide they know what's better for us than we do.

What about Shalrie Joseph? Granted, when he became a DP, he had been with New England about twice as long as Espinoza has been with KCW/SKC. Still, his case would seem to be a pretty relevant precedent on both counts.

and that was pulling teeth..... see DeRo on that one as well. You have to be a very special player for MLS to pay up. I don't think that MLS is going to quadruple a players salary without some kind of foreign league success. Even then that would only be 500K a year. Espinoza is going to have to get 800K+ to be competitive and I really don't think that the league is going to just OK that. Though the only instance for that I can see is Donovan who went from making 900K one year to 2+million the next. While the numbers are more of an increase the percentage isn't even anywhere close. Lets not even try to make a comparison between Donovan and Espinoza as players, one is a delicious orange the other is a delicious apple.

This doesn't make any sense though; the league is only responsible for $350K, right? What is it to Garber how much of their own money OG spends or on whom?

The precedent that it sets for players in the future contract wise.

Also, Ives tweeted, "That sound you hear is the phone at MLS HQ ringing. Roger Espinoza won't be in the league much longer based in his Olympic tournament."

I'll be patient and see how this unfolds, but I'll be very disappointed if SKC loses a player that they drafted and developed, but loses due to money issues from the club or the league. The ability to not keep or sign quality players due to money is the primary reason I quit following the Royals.

Maybe the league doesn't want to spend 350K on a player going into his second contract.

Bad enough if SKC becomes the KC Royals of MLS, but MLS as the KC of soccer...a farm club for a farm club for the big teams...too much.

I know, they have to build slow and sensibly--and in 2026 when the LSP expansion to 60K seats happens, and we are hosting group stage World Cup games in KC, and the 120K kids playing youth soccer locally are all buying first homes in WyCo, we can talk about keeping talent closer to home. Who was it that had the article about how MLS needs to do a better job of selling its players on the international market in order to improve US soccer? The willingness to extract some large transfer fee on Espinoza may be a good case study.

I want it to be 2026 already.

http://www.rs.goal.com/es/news/21/f...e-fija-en-roger-espinoza?source=breakingnews#

That's from the national team thread, 4 teams in Spain after Roger per that link. Lalas mentioned at half time tonight that he'd heard from his agent and Roger also has offers from 2 EPL clubs.

They can at least do us the honors of letting him return for a farewell game Wednesday before they whisk him away.

I can't see any move being made in the next few days.

If he goes during the season, it'll be quickly. The European windows are coming to a close.

The big problem being that the MLS window is closed, so if we do lose him, we're left with trades within the league, or players out of contract if we want to add anyone.

The more I think about it, I'd be disinclined to sell him this month. I can't see his transfer fee being significant compared to our improved chances down the stretch with him in the squad.

If we sell him, we relinquish all future rights. If we let him leave at the end of the year on a free, we retain his MLS rights.

I think the odds of us being successful through the MLS playoffs is much better with Roger than without. And given that I don't really see any way to replace the minutes we would lose with a player of similar quality, I'd rather keep him here. Do we really want Cesar to play every game down the stretch?

We are much better with Espinoza and Zusi playing 90 and letting Nagamura keep Cesar's minutes down. Thomas and Joseph are both developing, but I'm not sure I'm ready for either of them to be a starter. At least not if we want to win MLS Cup.

Agree with every word Andy.

Is it entirely SKC's choice, or does the league have a say? Of course if we can keep him through December at his current pay we will, I'm just not sure how this whole thing with players being contracted to MLS works.

The league can't sell him out from under us. Well, that's not entirely true, but I just can't see that happening. And, frankly, I don't see anyone offering enough money to make it that big of a deal.

The thing I look at is what is the financial upside of winning MLS Cup? We're in the hunt, but how much does having Espinoza move those odds?

Throw in the fact that selling Roger now cedes his future MLS rights. If he leaves on a free, but comes back, we get first dibs.

It would have to be an unprecedented offer - or something along the lines of our transfer/loan back with Omar Bravo, where Roger is loaned back to us through the end of the season. I just don't see either scenario being likely.

I do believe we would have to make him a bonafide offer at the end of the season in order for us to retain his rights; I dont think it is automatic.

If we win the OC on wednesday I am a little more inclined to sell him. We would have already secured our spot in the Champs league next year. Plus when he goes and if he crashes out who says he is coming back to MLS. I bet you he would more likely go to the FMF and get a better pay check there. If and when he does make it back to MLS he is going to be atleast 30 years old. He is not going to be able to keep up that pace forever, and for the type of player that he is that is very important. The only benefit in the long term to not selling him is as Andy said winning MLS Cup. Maybe the sponsorship $$ starts coming in with that, It will definitely help solidify the teams relevance in the market, but that is all contigent on winning it. Also, what if they do pay the money to resign him? If they spin it right they could make a big difference in what is happening with the other franchises in town. They could make the distinction that we are not a farm team, and we will pay to retain our developed talent.

I would prefer Espinoza stay in Kansas City. But if he comes to Europe, better Sevilla. The team has a history of taking players like Roger and making them very rich at the next transfer. Plus, if he misses KC, he can always scope out the scout in Kansas City Avenue. I could even get him some packaged KC BBQ sauce if he so desired. Convincing?

Roger could have a breakout year in Spain. I would love to see him at an Andalusian club like Sevilla if he must leave KC. However, he is one of my favorite players and I hope we will at least attempt to keep him.

I wonder if we are scouting the Olympics for potential young DP signings (or just young signings, DP tag does not matter)... it seems like an ideal place to get exposure for young players. Many of them are playing in less competitive leagues than the MLS so perhaps some are willing.

I am with you...unless someone has figured out a way for a transfer fee to take his place on the pitch.

And if modestly sized piles of money DO start playing soccer, well God help us all.

It would've worked a few years ago when the league was paying so much less - put some strategically stashed money for the players on league minimum to find and you get a numerical advantage!

If we could swap Rogers salary for Cesar to keep him here I'd be thrilled, but honestly, if we can get $2m-$3m for him I'd honestly take the money...