Well, Bez just praised Molino a month ago or so. I don’t think Matan’s name has even been spoken out loud this seasonz
Honestly… looking at the FA list - I’d be shopping Artur this minute and seeing what value you could get to sure up a LB. Morris has shown himself as more than capable and you have a lot more flexibility there than in the back. I love Artur but it I think it’s a move you make if it can make you immediately better. It would also show that the FO means real business at making a run this season and next.
I disagree on Artur. This league has evolved to the point that you need more than 11 starters. We can have 11 fantastic players and we will struggle because we have no depth. It would be nice if Porter could rotate a few players in order to keep them fresh but when we struggle every game, rotation is a luxury. Keep Artur and play him 15-20 games per season.
I agree with you and will add in that Zawadski's play has made Artur even more of a tradable asset than a much needed guy that we're desperate to get back on the field. However, I am really not sure what value he has as a trade. He just can't seem to get healthy or play for a stretch without pain. He's such a great guy, has a green card, doesn't make a ton of money and is totally willing to do the dirty work out there for us. A guy, that if he could get healthy, that I'd happily have on our squad for another 7+ years. But, similar to Molino, who is going to give us something for a guy that can't get on the field and stay there. Though I am entirely on board with moving him, or really anyone, if it makes the squad better right now.
Bez specifically talked about a 2year deal I’m telling you we did not give him a 3yr deal , want to bet ?
I agree. If we can reduce Artur's salary a bit, I would love to keep him around. With how aggressive Morris plays, he's bound to pick up some injuries throughout the season. Hopefully nothing serious again like the ACL, but he'll do things like tweak his ankle, bruise his foot, etc. and need a couple games off. God forbid Morris and Nagbe are both out, having Artur and Zawadski is quite the luxury. Remember that Perry Kitchen was brought in to provide the depth that Zawadski now provides. It seems Porter and Bez want 4 capable deeper playing mids, so I wouldn't be surprised to see us keep Artur around and strategically give him minutes rather than rely on him to be a regular starter.
I thought standard MLS contracts weren't guaranteed until the start of the season? Obviously, some players have guarantees but most didn't? Is JRR's contract guaranteed for instance?
Artur is young you can look past his injuries and keep him his salary is reasonable. I would definitely not look to get rid of him . Get rid of older back ups tho like asap
Molino, Hairston, & Kitchen will not be on roster next year. I am also starting to think ahead to the possibility that Morris could be sold to europe if he continues to progress at the same rate. Post World Cup I could see him get some NT call ups. Keep Artur. He loves this city. His health is concern, but at right price he is the kind of vet we will need as our roster starts to get younger. Nagbe doesn't have many years left and if we win another cup I could see him hang up the cleats.
I'm pretty sure Minnesota came out and said that Columbus got Molino because the Crew offered him a 3 year deal, which the Loons were unwilling to do. And why would the player's association lie about his contract status; it is not a random website. Together, the one buyout a year, the waiver, and reentry draft rules imply that a team cannot just cut a player, even if the contract is more incentive based. Nevertheless, a buyout is possible. As for Artur, Nagbe's (and Pedro's to a lesser extent) inconsistent play from game to game resembles Afful's decline. But he would not accept a trade.
He needs to work on his passing accuracy and playing temp to get into a National Team conversation. I honestly go back and forth on what his ceiling looks like. Some times I think a 15 year MLS career is what seems like but then other times I think he could make the jump. In the modern game, few teams will get by with a player who has real deficiencies with the ball at his feet. Heck, we expect goalies to distribute the ball at a high level (not all teams). He needs to take the next 2 years and really work on his skills with the ball. I love his motor and fearlessness.
That’s not what you said. You said he had a two year deal. Saying he won’t be here could mean he was bought out. So which is it?
Where did Bez talk about this? You guys grab a beer together, or something? Do you have a link you can share? I'm not even saying you're wrong. But I am questioning whether your claim is based on anything that's known publicly.
Hush, don’t ruin the bet. Loser has to wear a green and black shirt to the next home game that says “Anthony Precourt Was Right #MLS2ATX”
And, with how aggressive Morris plays, he's bound to pick up suspensions for yellow card accumulations, or maybe even a red or two. Artur does provide depth we might need, injury or otherwise.
Going off memory as all other teams only offered him a 1yr deal and we sweetened the deal to ensure we got him . was a bad move . Had it been a 1 year deal i would have like the gamble
I'll take a six pack, and the Wiz of Westerville will take some heat in the fire Bez thread. Nugget: #MNUFC manager Adrian Heath told "Sound of the Loons" podcast Kevin Molino got 3-year guaranteed contract from Columbus. "I just felt that 3 years at his age (31 in June), with injuries he's had (two ACLs, menisci, hamstrings) was maybe a little bit much for us," he said.— Andy Greder (@andygreder) April 8, 2021
I have no evidence, but the impression I had at the time was that Molino was on a two year deal. Or two + an option. That is why I was surprised he was not on the list. I will say that Molino has had a history of having a very productive year, then an injury year, then another productive year. I had high hopes after he scored 4 in the POs for Minny. Once he made an appearance, I thought he'd get regular sub appearances, at least when we need scoring. Both to get him fit AND see if he can help us (or convince someone he could help them). Especially with Yeboah out. But just one game so far. Not sure he is enough of a 2 way player for Porter to start him. But I still hope he could help us get goals at some point. With 1 year left, he is gonna be hard to move this year. He looks an awful expensive #4 winger at the moment (and that is not counting Pedro & Igbekeme as ahead of him).