Joe Max Moore to KC?

[JoeW]

KC's GM is quoted as saying he's very interested in Joe Max Moore, they are under the cap (I have no idea as to KC's cap status so that they're under the cap is plausible). No mention of an allocation involved--so maybe this is a situation of "negotiate a contract/willingness to come here" and then worry about how to officially acquire him. Or, maybe the 2 former National team stars (who are coming on free transfers) won't require allocations.

In any case, here's how the KC-JMM situation affects us:
1. If KC needs an allocation, here we are. Armstrong, McKeon, Klein--all interesting names to consider.
2. If KC doesn't need an allocation, that means that if we could attract Stewart, we wouldn't need an allocation for him.
3. If LA wants Stewart, even though they don't need an allocation, they'd need to create cap room--a lot of cap room. While Cienfuegos is the obvious target to dump, no-one would go for him. So that's where we'd come in. If Stewart goes to attacking mid, Hong plays D-mid, then Elliott, Cienfuegos and Vagenas are all subs.
4. Hudson has claimed he's going to talk to JMM. Me thinks this is just Ray sounding out all possibilities. I think he'd be looked for someone who is better playing with his back to goal (and that isn't JMM or Stewart). But Hudson will talk to anyone.

Now that the ice jam has been broken, I think we're going to see a plethora of deals in MLS (and player acquisitions). Right now, United has the most tools (cap room, draft choices, allocations, plus some roster spots and all our discoveries) to play with.

[John_Harkes_6]

Originally posted by JoeW
KC's GM is quoted as saying he's very interested in Joe Max Moore, they are under the cap (I have no idea as to KC's cap status so that they're under the cap is plausible). No mention of an allocation involved--so maybe this is a situation of "negotiate a contract/willingness to come here" and then worry about how to officially acquire him. Or, maybe the 2 former National team stars (who are coming on free transfers) won't require allocations.

In any case, here's how the KC-JMM situation affects us:
1. If KC needs an allocation, here we are. Armstrong, McKeon, Klein--all interesting names to consider.
2. If KC doesn't need an allocation, that means that if we could attract Stewart, we wouldn't need an allocation for him.
3. If LA wants Stewart, even though they don't need an allocation, they'd need to create cap room--a lot of cap room. While Cienfuegos is the obvious target to dump, no-one would go for him. So that's where we'd come in. If Stewart goes to attacking mid, Hong plays D-mid, then Elliott, Cienfuegos and Vagenas are all subs.
4. Hudson has claimed he's going to talk to JMM. Me thinks this is just Ray sounding out all possibilities. I think he'd be looked for someone who is better playing with his back to goal (and that isn't JMM or Stewart). But Hudson will talk to anyone.

Now that the ice jam has been broken, I think we're going to see a plethora of deals in MLS (and player acquisitions). Right now, United has the most tools (cap room, draft choices, allocations, plus some roster spots and all our discoveries) to play with.

KC could use a discovery pick on JMM similar to how we got Reyes and Q2

[shawn12011]

Originally posted by John_Harkes_6
KC could use a discovery pick on JMM similar to how we got Reyes and Q2


And how LA "discovered" Lalas? "I was out the other night at this club. There was this guy there playing the guitar that said he had played soccer before in Italy. So I asked the league office if I could discover him, and they said yes." Sigi the Hutt.

[DRN]

Originally posted by John_Harkes_6
KC could use a discovery pick on JMM similar to how we got Reyes and Q2


MLS has stated many times that US NATS coming home from abroad can only be aquired using an allocation (no discovery picks). Of course, MLS makes up/changes rules as it goes along and if it helps LA or NY....the change will be made. I wouldn't bet on them changing the rules for KC though.

[elconejito]

Originally posted by DRN
MLS has stated many times that US NATS coming home from abroad can only be aquired using an allocation (no discovery picks).

What category did Twellman fall into? Didn't he have some caps? if not for the full squad, then definitely for the Under- Or do those not count?

[ursula]

Twellman was never capped by the senior squad and that's a big difference, along with his age: he fit into the profile of the other draft picks. Remember, he was never thought of as being by far the best player in the draft.


JMM is a different player and if we could get Armstrong and McKeon for him I'd do it, especially if it looked like we could then get Ricardo Clark with pick #5. (I don't think KC will part with Klein.) I also would like to see JMM in black, but the idea of getting two starting types for him is tempting and a concern I have with our rebuilding is that Hudson might focus only on getting a couple of starters and we are left with the same bad backups as last year. I mean, say we got JMM or some foreigner as our big forward aquisition then they got hurt. That would be the same as if we had kept Moreno and he stayed hurt.

I know that the draft will also provide depth, but how much improvement can we really get via that route? No, we need some depth to come in our trades as well as starters.

[entropy]

McKeon and Armstrong would both be good pickups IMHO. I think McKeon is a bit underrated. The games I've seen him, mainly against us, he's always performed well and was a threat in the air on set pieces. Reacquiring Armstrong would give us an immediate player on the left so that Bobby could move into the center. Having Olsen and Armstrong prowling the flanks would be vicious.

[JoeW]

Originally posted by entropy
McKeon and Armstrong would both be good pickups IMHO. I think McKeon is a bit underrated. The games I've seen him, mainly against us, he's always performed well and was a threat in the air on set pieces. Reacquiring Armstrong would give us an immediate player on the left so that Bobby could move into the center. Having Olsen and Armstrong prowling the flanks would be vicious.

Part of the reason I mention Armstrong is that I know that Ray lamented during the season that there was one player he gave up that he wish he could have back. I know a number of us speculated that was Armstrong. Plus, it's not clear that he figures strongly in KC's plans for 2003 (though I could be wrong about that).

Still, KC ain't a great trading partner for us b/c they've got cap room. So they can do a "fairer" deal (fairer for them) than a team that absolutely positively has to move players. Keep in mind that the SoS are probably capped out now (or close to it--unless they cut Balboa AND Andy Williams) so they probably can't use their allocation. They are probably better off dealing it for picks and a cheap or cap-exempt player.

[willydonc]

Originally posted by elconejito
What category did Twellman fall into? Didn't he have some caps? if not for the full squad, then definitely for the Under- Or do those not count?
Twellman was the second pick (after Gbandi to Dallas) of the 2002 Superdraft.

http://www.mlsnet.com/bios/taylor_twellman.html

[AndyMead]

Originally posted by DRN
I wouldn't bet on them changing the rules for KC though.

Damn straight.

re: McKeon - Look for Matt to follow Mo Johnston to Metroland. Matt responds well to Mo. If Mo keeps him focussed he can be one of the most important players on the pitch. Notice that I didn't say "best."

re: Armstrong - we just got him, and he played great for us, I don't see us trading him right back.

re: Klein - dream on. It's as if you guys up and decided to trade away Eddie Pope. C'mon, get real. Plus Chris is Nick Garcia's brother-in-law (or will be if Nick and Chris's sister aren't married, yet). Those two Indiana alums are the future pillars of the franchise.

re: Stewart/Moore. I just don't see us landing either one. At least not directly. It would be nice, but I (as are many Mystics) am still jaded over our league denied discovery of Taylor Twellman.

[ursula]

A bit bitter Andy?

Possibly McKeon might go to the metros but first they'd have to waive Balboa and I think that there's a good chance they keep Celo at a reduced rate, if they want him that is.

I agree with Joe that KC isn't an ideal trading partner since they are under the cap. However Hudson and Gansler have a history of dealing and if KC is serious about JMM they can either deal with United or forget him.

Chris Brown might be another name thrown about.