[Bill Archer]

The Crew got raped in last year's expansion draft, losing a bright young kid with a future because we were stupid enough to develop him.

So of course with not one but two teams drafting next season, and with the crew deeper than most, we're poised to get raped again.

I've been thinking a lot about this lately and then scaryice at Climbing the Ladder (I'd provide a link but the guy pissed me off a while back; first by not including a link to my blog after I linked to him, like 20 times, which is rude, and second by embarrassing me all to hell when I recommended him for something and he proceeded to accuse the guy I stood up for him to of being a crook, so to hell with him. I love his stuff but he's done me dirty too many times) just did a summary which seems about right:

COLUMBUS

Protected:

Schelotto
Brunner
Carroll
Ekpo
Hejduk
Hesmer
Marshall
O'Rourke
Padula
Rogers
Zayner


Available

Kevin Burns
Cory Elenio
Jason Garey
Eddie Gaven
Alex Grendi
Andy Gruenebaum
Andy Iro
Steven Lenhart
Adam Moffat
Alejandro Moreno
Stanley Nyazamba
Duncan Oughton
Emilio Renteria

The Zolos are going to get somebody good here, that's for sure. First off, let's look at the international players. I have them protecting Schelotto, Ekpo, and Padula, just like last year. Padula would be the most likely of the three to drop out, it seems. Remember, they have to protect at least three, and Moreno doesn't count as he holds a green card.

Speaking of Moreno, it seems like he might not make the list this year. He doesn't have a huge salary ($132,300/$137,300), but they have a couple of cheap, talented younger guys in Garey and Lenhart. Another guy who would make sense to leave off (at least on paper) is Hejduk, but that's highly unlikely. Still, will they protect both him and Zayner? You have to figure Zayner's likely gone if they don't protect him.

Iro was protected last year, but he's been passed up by Brunner. However, Iro is an international player and therefore might be in competition with Padula.

Gaven wasn't protected last year and it would shock me to see him protected this year. Like Mapp, his salary makes him unlikely to be chosen.

Most likely picks: Garey, Iro, Lenhart



Personally, I can see risking Moreno to try and hang on to Garey, and maybe even rolling the dice on Padula although I wouldn't sleep the night before.

Exposing Hejduk is more risk than I could stand.

Also it sure would be nice to find a way to protect Moffat, but if Renteria should happen to catch fire over the last couple of months we'll have to find a spot for him too, probably Moreno's.

[patricksp]

Bill when does Schelotto contract run out? I thought it was the end of this season, and will he want to come back. I think with the economy in Argentina should be in our favor for his family to feel safe here and get a steady paycheck.

[eboe]

The main problem is that we do not have a single true forward protected. The good news is, I guess, that we have enough true forwards unprotected, and there is only one team picking this year, so we only stand to lose one of them. Will it be Moreno, Garey, or Lenhart. It's hilarious that we include Lenhart in this discussion as we all dissed him so much when we stole him in the 4th round of the draft in 2008, but the kid has fight and attitude and he wants to go at goal. That may get him picked.

And here is a question: do we protect both D-mids? O'Rourke and Carroll? Although I bet that if we left either unprotected, they would be the one to get picked. It really is a guessing game until we know who is available from other teams - they could leave a spectacular D-mid available and then our D-mid would be safe... who really knows?

Oh, and Patrick - Schelotto's contract runs out at the end of this season, but if I remember correctly, he was trying to negotiate for an extra year on the end of it before he signed it. So I think he wants to be here another season.

[kgilbert78]

Originally Posted by Bill Archer

Personally, I can see risking Moreno to try and hang on to Garey, and maybe even rolling the dice on Padula although I wouldn't sleep the night before.

Exposing Hejduk is more risk than I could stand.

Also it sure would be nice to find a way to protect Moffat, but if Renteria should happen to catch fire over the last couple of months we'll have to find a spot for him too, probably Moreno's.

I'd hate to lose Frankie, but at some point we're going to have to make that decision. With two teams picking in 2011, I expect to lose him then. It is possible that we lose him after this season due to Zayner's development and Frankie's injuries this season (and I would not have even thought that a couple of months ago). You also do have to factor in Frankie being at the WC next year--and maybe that tips the balance, where it could be better to keep a Zayner, who won't go to SA, but potentially lose Frankie to Philly since you are going to lose him for a large part of the season anyway (also true for Moreno and Renteria if Venezulela qualifies). Given that we have to protect some older players like GBS yet keep youth, I would also expect Moreno to be left unprotected.

[patricksp]

Originally Posted by eboe

The main problem is that we do not have a single true forward protected. The good news is, I guess, that we have enough true forwards unprotected, and there is only one team picking this year, so we only stand to lose one of them. Will it be Moreno, Garey, or Lenhart. It's hilarious that we include Lenhart in this discussion as we all dissed him so much when we stole him in the 4th round of the draft in 2008, but the kid has fight and attitude and he wants to go at goal. That may get him picked.

And here is a question: do we protect both D-mids? O'Rourke and Carroll? Although I bet that if we left either unprotected, they would be the one to get picked. It really is a guessing game until we know who is available from other teams - they could leave a spectacular D-mid available and then our D-mid would be safe... who really knows?

Oh, and Patrick - Schelotto's contract runs out at the end of this season, but if I remember correctly, he was trying to negotiate for an extra year on the end of it before he signed it. So I think he wants to be here another season.

Thanks I was wondering about that, I would love to see him back and maybe I would love to see him be an asst. Coach in the future. He was the only person last night that I thought had any fire in him and wanted to win.

[110toyourleft]

Maybe a stupid question: You must protect your DP?

[WTAMUCrew]

the expansion draft sucks

[THOMA GOL]

How bad does Frankie miss that surfing thing?

[MassiveFan]

I personally would leave Frankie off the list. Yeah, he is the captain of our team and a good RB. But honestly, if you were an expansion team, would you pick a RB who is 35, been having some injury problems now, will probably miss some of the season b/c of the WC, a salary of probably 125k or higher, and also a bit pissed off b/c he's switching teams from where he was beloved?

Expansion teams are looking for young cheap talent - Jed Zayner fits the bill. I would protect JZ in a heartbeat b/c that where our future lies for our team at RB. Seriously, if you lose Zayner, who will take over for Hejduk!? Stay in-house and go with Zayner.

[bigbuck623]

I'd leave O'RedCard unprotected and keep Iro. Otherwise, good list and analysis.

I'd also roll the dice with Frankie to be able to keep Garey.