So I was reading the boards over on ussocceruk, and I guess the Crew have been in some trade talks that have collapsed for some reason or another. However, the rumored trade proposal is very disturbing. Apparently, and this is just a rumor, but apparently we were talking with DCU about a trade involviing Edson Buddle. Throw into the mix that DCU just cut Cerritos to open up roster space, and it smells like something fishy is going down. Honestly, I can't see what DC has to offer us that would be worth giving them Edson Buddle. Some dipsh!ts think they're cute by saying they'll offer us Earnie Stewart or some other heap of Potomac rubbish. I don't really want a single person on that squad and if we trade away Buddle for some gawddamn draft picks, then I'm going to be really pissed. I guess I'm just wondering what the fcuk the Crew FO is up to, considering they aren't addressing any of the real issues. Maybe its a Buddle for Nowak trade? Can we give them Greg as well, or can we just fire him when Nowak gets here? *Let the speculation begin!*
Wouldn't be suprised if it involved Alecko, one striker for another. Still they need defense and I don't see them bringing in Buddle for whatever we can get for him. Unless it is a move for us to free up more space for one of our "massive" signings a la Williams.
I would ask for a refund if that's who they trade for...that is disgusting. Please tell me you are kidding and I am missing the implied humor.
Then we could have a "Who Looks Like A Caveman" contest between Denton, Lagos, and Olsen, terrific! As for Rimando, that's just disrespectful. They think he's washed up and now they think he's trade bait? Get real! Besides, why would we want a third keeper when our 2nd keeper never sees the light of day?
The main player being offered by DC is Ernie Stewart, United has been trying to clear cap space. Alecko was offered as part of the deal, Crew said no. Stay tuned.
Someone on the DCU board was bummed because he thought DC should have traded Cerritos for Chad Marshall, rather than just cutting him. I know our FO has set new standards for stupidity, but yikes. Now, if they'd throw in a case of Ray Hudon bobblehaeds, we might bite.
Hmmm, interesting. I heard Perkins. With Jordan constantly on the injury list, we are depending on back up-back up keepers(neither of which are starting material right now). Perkins is from Columbus. He still lives in the area and wants to play here. That said, I hope this doesn't happen. I don't think Testo or Ritch can fill the boots of a starting forward yet.
Contestant #1: Contestant #2: Contestant #3: Oh yeah, I guess I should give props to YCJ photo folks for these lovely pictures of our contestants before they get upset that I ripped off their shiznit.
Testo has the tools, and I can only hope that while Buddle is out with injury that we get him in position to be a competent forward. I think he could play the holding role nicely, seems to be a good passer, has a heavy shot, and has some moves here and there to create space.
I'm certain that at one point or another Cerritos was offered to us. I can see why DC would want Buddle - with Cerritos gone, Martins done for the year, and a total inability to score goals, Buddle might be exactly what they need. Frankly, tho, I don't want Stewart. His MLS performances have been disappointing. I would take Eskandarian and one of Gros, Olsen, or (gulp) Kovalenko. Preferably Gros or Olsen. I wouldn't want anybody else. Well, Perkins would be nice, but I'm not willing to give much of anything up for him. Like a late draft pick, maybe.
I gotta say, I am pleased that they turned down Stewart, especially if Buddle is involved. As someone not opposed to trading Buddle I just don't think it makes sense to trade potential for washed up. I don't get Rimando. I don't see why would want him or Perkins unless Jordan's injury is much worse off than it seems. I'd take Olsen, we'd need someone else thrown in there though if we give up Buddle. I know its a small league, and there aren't many options, but for some reason trading with DC doesn't sit well with me at all.
I agree, on a serious note, I am also glad they didn't get suckered into picking up Stewart. Maybe Alecko wouldn't be so bad, as he has a pension for scoring against the Crew, maybe he just needs a yellow jersey to be a prolific scorer? Olsen might be ok, but I would be worried about him becoming our younger version of Mais. Convey might be worth a look, but they all seem so sure that some Brit club is about to make a blockbuster offer for him. I don't see it happening, but Convey might benefit from a location change. Then again, the coaching wouldn't improve for him. Like Hang, I just can't stomach trading with DC. I mean, the last time we did this, we got the amazing Devin Barclay! I mean, come on, this guy was awesome... oh wait, he's still on the squad? Has he played yet? All I can say is that we better not get hosed in a trade with the Scum.
So far I haven't seen enough evidence that Testo is a real threat for us. There have been flashes of brilliance from Ritch, but I wouldn't want to bet the farm on either of them just yet. They are good back-ups right now. If JoeyInfo was correct, that was an interesting trade package with Stewart & Eskandarian. I would give that serious consideration. As much as I like Buddle, his tendonitis troubles me. It could subside and he could function normally again OR he could suffer set-backs for the rest of his career. The thought of trading for DC players does make me verp a bit though.
As for our forwards, have we all forgotten about mini-Dante? I mean, Scott should be back now from his time with the Ticos, right? Maybe clearing Buddle is a way of putting Scott into the starting line-up with Cunny and making Testo our #3, like he anticpated being when he agreed to the loan?
You couldn't possibly have Scott and Cunty up front. Two pure scorers wouldn't work on this team, there's no one to clear space there. If we did go that route, or if we pulled Eskey and Cunny up front, you put Testo out left and sit Denton. Which isn't that bad an idea right now.
Let's get real here - they know Stewart isn't exactly going to light our fire. That's why they were offering to package him with Eskandarian - we've got cap room to take Ernie off their hands, and as an incentive they give us a decent prospect on a cheap contract. At this point, Rimando needs a backup job somewhere. Nobody is suggesting he can take Busch's place. We'll burn the damned stadium down the day that happens.
One other thing, Alecko is a P-40 player, so we could just cut one of those other guys and still have no cap issues. I say the easy choice is Barclay gets the axe. Perkins is also on a DP contract, so maybe you could get rid of another one of them for Perkins if they were really concerned about having a 3rd keeper. I'm still not sure what I would deem a fair value trade, however. I could possibly see that the Crew are looking to make cap space for an allocation, but if that is true, good god, just get rid of Mais already. He contributes less than Buddle and probably makes a much larger wage. My thinking is that we already have a roster spot for one of the allocations. Clear a little cap and pick up some depth with these moves: - Trade Buddle for Esky, and Olsen (or maybe their 1st round draft pick) - Cut Barclay and force Mais to retire - Bring in two allocations to fill the two roster spots. Joey, give us some more info Edit: Obviously the two allocations should be major contributors and not just added depth type players.
no way in hell do i want stewart...sorry. i was his biggest fan when he was in holland and a bonafide "star" on the national team, but he hasn't done squat since joining the league and i just don't see that changing no matter where he goes. plus why the hell do we want that huge salary on our roster...no thanks. save that cap space to pick up someone with those two freaking allocations we have sitting around.
No way in hell do I want Mais cut midseason. Call me a sap or whatver, but he deserves way better than that. Yeah perhaps he should have hung em up after last season. But he has earned the right to walk away at the end of this year, had held high. No way should he be axed so unkindly.
What has he done this season to earn that, hang? Don't give me this lifetime achievement crap either. Fact is the Crew are in a desperate place. We don't have a solid team and certainly not a team that can challenge for the cup. With the deadline for guaranteed contracts this week, it only makes sense. This is a business, not your local feel-good boy scout troop. I appreciate what Mais has done in the past as much as the next guy, but hey, if Lapper and Yeags can handle a mid-season retirement, so can Mais. Jim Smith needs to do what's best for the team, and if he bruises an ego or two along the way, well, I guess that's just the nature of the beast. You can throw a ticker-tape parade for Mais if you want, have a pre-game ceremony, whatever gives you a warm-happy feeling about his retirement, but Mais isn't going anywhere until he's forced to. He will not volunteer to retire, so Smith will have to force it. As for the proposed line-up, I would like to see Alecko/Scott splitting time up top with Cunny, put Testo in Denton's spot and bench Dents. If we get Olsen, then I put him in Paule's spot. Maybe use both allocations on an all-star #10 and get this team turned around.