Escandarian signs an MLS contract. Five years at 50-60K per year. Has our #1 pick just signed? Could this be the trigger to start the trading? Are we waiting for other things? I know at least JoeW is impatient. Oh- my link is to a NY Times article and you have to register (free) with them to read it.
Here's a link to a similar story at a non-registration site: http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?level_3_id=137&page=6004698 This article says he is "crossing his fingers that he is drafted by the MetroStars." "Hopefully it will happen. That would allow me to stay home and play in front of my family and friends," Eskandarian said Sunday night. "But it's part of the business to deal with wherever you end up."
If we were to trade him to the Metrostars, what would that do to the Jaime deal? Are there any thoughts that this guy could come in and start?
Eskandarian should not be criticized that he wants to play for the Metrostars. If any of us became a star in soccer all of a sudden and had to play in the MLS we would want to play for our hometeam DC United. I just wanted to post this cause Ive read in the past things in the general idea that he should not play here because he wants to play in NY in front of family and friends.
But part of me wants to be a goalkeeper for the Metrostars......I'd never make an effort to stop a DC shot, and I'd have the best view of the goals....
Of course, if he really wanted to play in front of family and friends, he could have gone to Rutgers or something, but he went to Virginia, so it can't be that important to him. Anyway, you're right -- no one should criticize him for what he wants, but wanting it and saying it are different things. If you expect to be the #1 pick, and I assume he does, I'm not sure you say "I hope I go to the team with the #2 pick." It's not a big deal to me, but I wouldn't say it's smart, either.
I don't think there is anything wrong with what he said and it is pretty standard for guys in any sport who expect to be a high draft choice. Some of them take it to the next level like when Elway refudes to play for the Colts and Lindros with the NHL. No big deal. He knows the rules and signed with MLS so if we want him he plays here, if not he goes to the Metrodonkeys.
Package him with Jaime and drive the price up for the MetroTards. If they want him badly enough, they can ante up somewhat more than what the current offer may be. If they don't want him, we can keep him or see if anyone else in the league wants him enough to offer anyone (anything?) of substance for him. Winoman
I would be happy to see him play for the Metros because that would mean Clark signed with MLS and Ray actually made a good decision with his 1st pick. I guess we can dream.
In other related news, Donovan is staying in MLS for two more years and McBride resigned with the league. Why is this related? - Donovan's continued stay in SJ has got to mean that they have some serious cap space to clear. - McBride's resigning means that C-bus is still waaay deep at forward meaning that Washington is possibly more expendable again. All three of these signings could have an impact on what Hudson does now.
The offseason is getting more interesting now. Moreno + #1 pick for Jolley, an allocation, and another draft pick? I could handle that. Many, many, many more options though, that's just the first that came to mind.
There is simply no reason to trade the #1 pick.. What is the sense in flip-flopping the #1 and #2 picks (I say this because Kasper and Hudson would be brain dead to simply trade #1 for #5)? Hold on to that #1 pick as it can be used as leverage come draft day.. It would make no sense at all to let it go before knowing who and what is available to choose from.. As for Eskandarian signing with MLS, congratulations, but let me just throw out this glorious list of past #1 picks in the draft: Chris Carrieri Steve Shak Jason Moore Tahj Jenkins Leo Cullen Matt McKeon Out of that putrid list, only McKeon, Cullen and Carrieri have done anything noteworthy in their MLS careers.. Cullen has come on strong as of late while McKeon (with one MLS ring to his name) wilts on the KC bench.. Carrieri finally is paying dividends but spent most of last season pouting on the Earthquakes bench before being traded to the Rapids where he finally got his scoring touch going.. Bottom line here is that for me, Eskandarian is a touch overrated and only time will prove me wrong.. I sincerely hope we do not draft Alecko....
Chris, that's exactly why we don't want to draft ANYONE with the #1! We don't want that stigma hanging over whoever we draft, we might as well use the #2 from NY especially if we know they will draft Elecko. Like I said though, just stirring the pot with some ideas.
The one case where flipping picks might make sense if an allocation is included. In that case, if Hudson believes he has two foreign players picked out - I'm betting he does - then he will be able to bring the players that much earlier. Although there is close to three months between the draft and the start of the season, Hudson said it takes that long for players to get their feet on the ground. With the extra couple of weeks the players should be going 100% at the start of the season. Also, having the #2 pick isn't any different than then #1 if you aren't going to take Eskandarian. If DCUnited isn't going to use the pick, and I don't think they should, then you still have immense trade value come Draft Day. Chicago, at #18, and their need to trade high salary for low, makes them an ideal candidate for a trade.
And, according to Steve Goff, it appears we may have both #1 & #2 in the draft. Of course, these have to be trade bait.
After hearing about the impending trade, I hope Petke becomes trade bait (maybe someone else already has interest in him) and we just chalk it up as trading Richie for a first rounder. Then we can draft Alecko and save $50k on someone that will likely help the team more than ABMOD.