I first figured that we released him to make cap space for a new signing. But the news that we've extended Earnshaw for the rest of the year coming out almost right after can't be a coincidence. I'm certain we've used the money freed up by dumping Dunfield to extend Earnshaw, which TBH makes me a little sick. As you all know, I'm certainly not a Dunfield fan, but no one can deny his effort. He's put 100% into every game he played. Earnshaw on the other hand has been completely unimpressive outside of the first few games. It's not even lack of service. He's been missing sitters, taking shots from the most ridiculous angles rather than passing to someone in a better position, and trying to take on five defenders rather than playing the ball to an open man. Anti teamwork that is. I'm not trying to bash Earnshaw here either, I just don't get why we're extending him with a raise and cutting players in order to do that. He's done nothing to earn it. Plus there's the matter of Koevermans coming back very soon I hope I'm wrong though and this IS just a coincidence and the real reason we cut him was to make a new signing that will actually make an impact and not to extend someone who has had next to no impact
Tbh it makes more and more sense the more I think about it. Good decision, but I hope they at least tried to find possible trades. I know he's making more money than he should, but he's still a solid enough player in MLS that could have made a sense as a depth choice for a championship contender with cap space. Though, correct me if I'm wrong, now that he's on waivers, can his contract be renegotiated now by whichever team may pick him up?
I think he has to clear waivers first; apparently, from what I'm reading, that's at close of business two business days after his release is announced to the league. So, presumably, other teams could express interest, to the league, in claiming him on his existing contract up until Monday at 5pm. Then he would be allocated to the team with the highest priority in the waiver draft. After that, I can't find out what happens and am not sure how that works with respect to the discovery process. I'm 90% sure that TFC has given up his MLS rights though. http://www.mlssoccer.com/2012-mls-roster-rule Edit: Or maybe I'm over-thinking this. Maybe you have to claim the player off waivers to enter negotiations with the player. That seems reasonable. Anyone know for sure?
That's my reaction every time as well. What I think might be happening here though is that Payne and Nelsen are trying to make TFC a known team on the other side of the pond. Maybe putting themselves in the good graces of agents as well by allowing their clients to be linked with us to put them in better negotiating positions. On the other hand there are guys like Ephraim, Bostock, Earnshaw, and Caldwell that make me think that we are legitimately trying to get these players
It's possible I guess. Would certainly be a positive if true. But like you said, TFC really seem intent on getting the same crappy loan players they've brought in on loan. This reminds me though, remember when Frings retired and Payne said he wanted TFC to form a partnership with Bremen? Is that still happening/going to happen? And speaking of loan players, I just realized I wouldn't mind Caldwell, who I previously thought was a terrible and useless signing, being kept on, at least if his salary is kept low enough. What with Califf (and probably Frei for that matter) almost certainly being shipped out within the next month (or week), we need a solid veteran presence in defense, and that's what Caldwell has been. On the other hand though, he's not really a viable option moving forward from this year. But hey, he's been adept, which is more than we can say for most of our players.
Bocanegra is coming back to the MLS it looks like, if you guys cant resign Caldwell for the rest of the year, you think you'll make a play for Boca?
CB is the one area where I wouldn't want to see TFC investing more resources, particularly in a player of Bocanegra's age. Even if Caldwell returns to the UK, O'Dea is still taking a massive chunk of budget space and we may just have to wait for Henry and/or Agboss to grow into the role of a regular starter. What I'd prefer would be if they dealt our allocation spot for a younger American, already in the league, on a more manageable salary than Bocanegra would command. Doesn't even have to be an everyday starter on his current team, just someone with potential, as that might make the player hungrier for the opportunity Toronto presents and less resentful of having to move up here. We often forget the human dimension to player personnel moves.
Not too surprising. He was good as his 40-50k salary said he was. What's amazing is that, according to that article he still played 29 games for us. And iirc he was starting most of the time.
I fail to see how this changes anything unless we're trading for some domestic players. It opens a roster spot, but doesn't really free up any cap space, and doesn't give us an international slot. So I don't think this move gets us any closer to signing any of the players they've been following abroad unless this is followed up with another move
How tomorrow's match could be Steven Caldwell's last for TFC: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...ill-be-caldwells-last-game-tfc-if-deal-not-ex
Wow, this is sad. A broken leg and he is done. TFC did have times to deal him for something else but couldn't.
If this is true, it doesnt surprise me.frei is making 3-4 times what bendik does and sits on the bench. Frei is a good strong keeper, but he has has flaws and i'm not convinced that he has improved a whole lot during his time here.
Really? He's done as much as any keeper could have done in his situation. The defence has been a continuous let-down year after year, and he still made more than enough 5-star saves. I sincerely doubt that Nick Rimando, Kevin Hartman, or any other top-caliber keeper could have done any better. The season-ending injury last year (which was a freak accident) was pretty much the nail in the coffin for him. In other news...I watched a stream of this game (US feed with RSL broadcasters), and they mentioned that Danny Califf's locker was cleared out and his equipment was shipped back to California, where he is. Looks like he's done as well.
I like Frei as a keeper but he really needs a change of scenery to get his career back on track, with Bendik play this season it makes it possible for us to move him to another club.
http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2013/07/toronto-trades-michael-thomas SKC trades Michael Thomas to TFC for 2015 2nd rd pick
Why have we done this trade? Thomas is no whiz kid and we have enough midfielders to fill a full team. We need forwards who can score.
57-60k domestic player. If he's any good, he'll be a good pickup. These are the kinds of guys we need to fill out the roster, assuming he's better than the last one we traded for (Weideman). The draft is getting more and more shallow, so a 2nd round pick probably wont be a big loss. On the other hand we also don't have our first round pick since we gave it away to Vancouver. It might be best to pay zero attention to the draft this year, since we probably wont be taking any part in it.
Did we miss the other two announcements today? Toronto FC announced Monday that the club has acquired a 2015 First Round MLS SuperDraft pick and an international roster spot through the 2014 season from Chivas USA in exchange for the club’s first allocation ranking position. Toronto FC announced Tuesday that the club has signed Scottish international defender Steven Caldwell, following the expiration of his loan agreement. “Steven has done a great job in anchoring our defense since arriving on loan, and he's been a terrific influence in the locker room,” said Toronto FC President and General Manager Kevin Payne. “We're very pleased that he'll be with us for this and the next two seasons.”
I'm not sure this Thomas is the right guy or not but imo what TFC really need is an attacking cmf who can control the tempo of the game and dictate play. A creative player with vision who can hold the ball ,pick out the forwards with thru balls, clever def splitting passes etc......a Guevara type of player to run the game Right now the service to the forwards is dreadful,zero creativity . Hope Thomas can be that guy but not holding my breath.
good news on both fronts. We've finally caught onto the fact that Chivas is here to be swindled. They'll probably be bad again next year, so the 2015 pick could be a really good one. And an international spot is something we really need this summer. Signing Caldwell is great news as well