Who Should The Fire Draft?

[Tmagic77]

Didn't Gaven go in the second round?

Yeah, he went 12th. That'd be first round this next year. This draft is also looking weaker than that year. I suppose that I might be a little pessimistic, but I still think our chances are very low without trading up. I'd love it to happen though.

If I'm correct and we can get 2 out of the 3, who do we go for? I figure Moor would be the #3 pick, who do we take next? My heart says Kirk but my head says Klaas.

*edit* Looking back through the past drafts it seems like some hot proscts dropped pretty low. Eddie Johnson was a 19th pick and he was at least as highly regarded wasn't he? I'm liking our chances more now.

[Marchetti]

Yeah, he went 12th. That'd be first round this next year. This draft is also looking weaker than that year. I suppose that I might be a little pessimistic, but I still think our chances are very low without trading up. I'd love it to happen though.

If I'm correct and we can get 2 out of the 3, who do we go for? I figure Moor would be the #3 pick, who do we take next? My heart says Kirk but my head says Klaas.

*edit* Looking back through the past drafts it seems like some hot proscts dropped pretty low. Eddie Johnson was a 19th pick and he was at least as highly regarded wasn't he? I'm liking our chances more now.
KLASS! Forget Kirk, he would be just another attacker that we don't need, plus is too young, without a lot of experience anyways.

CJ Klass is a tough defender (which the Fire need), and has a lot of experience.

[swedcrip34]

KLASS! Forget Kirk, he would be just another attacker that we don't need, plus is too young, without a lot of experience anyways.

CJ Klass is a tough defender (which the Fire need), and has a lot of experience.

Klaas

and after Gaven, I'd think the high school kids will start going higher (unless they are a coach's son - then it's truly "hands off").

[Bob Morocco]

It seems that there are going to be 12+ p-40 guys but right now I'm more worried that someone would take Klaas before our second first round pick.

[stl.bluz]

Since I don't believe anyone has replied to your "Matt Pickens" comment, allow me. I'm familiar with Matt, and what I can say for him is that your assessment is way of base. He received no playing time last year with the exception of a preseason game versus now FC Dallas. So to criticize anyone without seeing them perform is just incomprehensable to me. All I'll say about him now is don't be suprised to see him in the nets sometime this season.

Okay, we may as well start talking about this to match up what we actually need to who's available next month. I'll excerpt my longer analysis (http://www.notabbott.com/archives/soccer/001847.html) with the top-level summary.

Roughly in order:


In the entirely unlikely event that there's an MLS-quality playmaking midfielder, we take him.
In the slightly less unlikely event there's a defender better than Evan Whitfield and C.J. Brown, we take him.
In the more likely event there is a quality right-sided midfielder, we take him.
If there is a defender better than Denny Clanton and Leonard Griffin, and ideally better than Kelly Gray, we take him.
If there is a goalie better than Matt Pickens, we take him.
If we draft another defensive midfielder of about the same quality as Pause and Beute, I'm going to start calling GM Peter Wilt "Crumbs," in honor of Jerry Krause, who never met a power forward he didn't like. Or didn't draft.


Post your thoughts about how I'm totally wrong, or who might fit some of these bills.

Later,
COZ

[NotAbbott]

I wasn't criticizing him at all. I was just saying that the only way we pick a goalkeeper is if we think he's better than Pickens. Setting the bar, so to speak.

Later,
COZ

[soccerballz1]

By the way, have any of you seen the announcement that RSL and Hannover 96 are working out a deal for Mathis? One allocation down to RSL, one Thorrington allocation to the Fire to go.

[theburden]

I heard that Malaga was interested in Damani.

[Khan]

In the entirely unlikely event that there's an MLS-quality playmaking midfielder, we take him.

I think Peter The Wilt had suggested that the Beasley allocation will be used to address this need at some point in 2K5.


In the slightly less unlikely event there's a defender better than Evan Whitfield and C.J. Brown, we take him.

I think this depends on a few factors [in order]:
1. Will Whitfield/Dipsy be in LDS-land, or not?
2. What does the F.O. think of young Mssrs. Clanton and Griffin?
3. Has the Caballero signing occurred?
4. Who is available? [Whenever Calvinball 3.0 allows the Fire to draft]


In the more likely event there is a quality right-sided midfielder, we take him.

If the Thorrington signing has happened, I think the F.O. has addressed this; If indeed it has happened, I'm fairly satisfied.
At the same time, I'm not too sure about the left-sided midfielder, either...


If there is a defender better than Denny Clanton and Leonard Griffin, and ideally better than Kelly Gray, we take him.

See above^


If there is a goalie better than Matt Pickens, we take him.

Speaking of starting GK, is there any news about the Thornton/Ring duo? Has there been any progress in trading one or the other? I have no feelings as to what sort of player Pickens might be, and I think the 3rd GK isn't really of issue right now.


If we draft another defensive midfielder of about the same quality as Pause and Beute, I'm going to start calling GM Peter Wilt "Crumbs," in honor of Jerry Krause, who never met a power forward he didn't like. Or didn't draft.

Agreed.


I think another factor to consider is at forward, where the "rumors of Razov wanting out" may come into play. If indeed the designated PK choker is out, in addition to Dipsy, I think I'd like to have a little more depth up front. But it also depends on what the F.O. can command for "The All Time Leading Scorer in Franchise History;" I'd like to see at least a quality MLS starter + a little more for sauce [draft picks, allocations, etc..] in trade.

BTW, do we know where the Fire will draft, and how many picks they possess?

[NotAbbott]

BTW, do we know where the Fire will draft, and how many picks they possess?

I think it's in this thread somewhere, along with a helpful link to thirddegree.

Anyway, we've now got the following rumors to contend with:


Cabellero
Thorrington
Razov for Sanneh


Along with Dipsy and Evan being definitely gone.

Assuming all of the rumors to be true, our top priority is now probably a striker, although we're still talking about #3 or #4 on the depth chart, except during qualifying. Assuming some of the rumors to be true, we might go with a wing midfielder as a backup on either side. And, again, if there's a d-mid better than Pause or Beute, that's still an option. As is Klaas, I think, but that's more because he's a good guy to have for the future rather than filling an immediate need.

Later,
COZ

[Khan]

I think it's in this thread somewhere, along with a helpful link to thirddegree.

I looked, but have come up empty....

Anyway, we've now got the following rumors to contend with:


Cabellero
Thorrington
Razov for Sanneh

Along with Dipsy and Evan being definitely gone.

You also forgot Thornton or Ring being gone.

Assuming all of the rumors to be true, our top priority is now probably a striker, although we're still talking about #3 or #4 on the depth chart, except during qualifying. Assuming some of the rumors to be true, we might go with a wing midfielder as a backup on either side.

Agreed.

And, again, if there's a d-mid better than Pause or Beute, that's still an option. As is Klaas, I think, but that's more because he's a good guy to have for the future rather than filling an immediate need.

I disagree with you here. I'd rather see any other position than DMF or GK as a draft priority.

[foosball]

Our draft needs are getting harder to gauge with all the trade/signing rumors.With Dip and Whit to RSL we now have a need for depth at forward and a starter in the back.Except that Caballero is supposedly due to sign.IIRC he is a center back.If so does he pair with Curtin in a 4-man back line?Maybe this is where Moor and or Klaas fit in as outside defenders.

PW talked about using one allocation on a #10.I assume that is not Thorrington.That leaves a ? plus Capano at A-mid. So we draft one of Moor/Klaas plus Kirk in the first round which is what everyone has been saying all along.

I'll throw out one more name as a second rounder-Jed Zayner.Local kid from Carl Sandberg H.S.and played PDL with Fire Reserves.Versatile backline guy-great value in second round if he falls that far and if we don't get either or both of Moor and Klaas.

The guessing game will get much easier once the P-40 list is announced and some/all of the rumored deals get done or die.

[swedcrip34]

http://3rddegree.matchnight.com/thirdindex.cfm?page=article&keyword=SUPERDRAFT

not updated yet for the Dispy/Whitfield trade

remember that it's an unofficial list, cause it's the best we could do considering how incomplete/undisclosed some MLS press releases have been

Zayner has trialed in Europe, so it's risky drafting players like him and Knox Cameron in the first 2 rounds unless they sign with MLS before the draft

(funny coincidence is that Whitfield and Selolwane I think are 2 examples of unsigned players Chicago drafted that later on returned within a year or two while Chicago still held their rights)

[NotAbbott]

I looked, but have come up empty....

My bad. It was the "who will go in the first round" thread on News & Analysis.

You also forgot Thornton or Ring being gone.

Yeah, but that has practically no impact on anything, IMHO. Which is my post-hoc rationalization for leaving it out, and I'm sticking to it.

I disagree with you here. I'd rather see any other position than DMF or GK as a draft priority.

Well, what I'm trying to get at here is that, if a good d-mid is available, the team needs to decide if either Pause or Beute is the future of that position or not. If not, then we're essentially continuing to pick guys at that spot until we feel like we've got the right one. Not the greatest use of draft picks, sure, but there is some rhyme or reason to it.

I'll try to work up another depth chart based on the last one with the new information and the rumors factored in.

Later,
COZ

[Khan]

Actually, I think the trade of Thornton or Ring has the opportunity to impact the Fire's strategy moreso than the trade with RSL.

Depending on which GK is traded, and what can be gotten in return, a current or future need can then be addressed via the pending GK trade.

[NotAbbott]

Actually, I think the trade of Thornton or Ring has the opportunity to impact the Fire's strategy moreso than the trade with RSL.

Depending on which GK is traded, and what can be gotten in return, a current or future need can then be addressed via the pending GK trade.

Good point. I hadn't thought of that.

Unfortunately, though, it seems that the going rate for guys who have to get moved for cap space or for positional logjams, i.e., guys every other team in the league knows you have to move, isn't that high.

Later,
COZ

[murtaugh29]

We're not trading Zach. It's already been stated by the club in multiple outlets that Zach will be our starter next year and Henry will likely not be with the club.

[creative_destruction]

Considering Henry is out of contract, will the Fire re-sign him to trade him or just let him go? Given that teams will know that he's out of contract and unwanted, I'm guessing that trade offers are not flying in to Peter's office.

[JeffGMc]

Considering Henry is out of contract, will the Fire re-sign him to trade him or just let him go? Given that teams will know that he's out of contract and unwanted, I'm guessing that trade offers are not flying in to Peter's office.
But they're still going to have to deal with the Fire one way or another. If he ever plays in MLS again, we have his rights.

Anyone else planning on going to Baltimore for the draft?

[Khan]

If Ring [and not Thornton] is gone, [IMO, the better move] are there any rumors as to what can be gotten for him? I think Ring is definitely an upgrade for a few clubs in MLS, and should be worth something in trade... Does anyone have any rumors about the status of the GK?

Speaking of Ring being out of contract, are there any other players that are Fire property but unsigned?

ALSO


If indeed the wide right midfielder need is addressed in Thorrington, where would Sanneh play if he will be traded for Razov? [I also thought Sanneh wanted to play on Columbus with his buddy Lagos...]