Just wondered if we could get any of these players that have been released lately. They could fill up any holes that we may still have in the roster. At reduced salaries of course.
Salary Cap Guestimate? Very interesting question, I would love to know myself. Here's what I can recall, if I'm wrong, please provide the updated information. Last season we were at the cap. We lost Moreno (-270k) and Pope (-~250k) and Williams (-~40k) to a trade. We expected McKinley to have a raise from 50k to 100k, but his unfortunate injury means we lose his salary (-50k). We didn't re-sign Zambrano (-~40k) or Lazo (-~30k). Ammann retired (-100k). All told that is a savings of about 780k. The trade with the Metros obtained Petke (+120k). We added Stewart with a 70k allocation (+200k) and Ivanov was both an allocation and a "bargain" (+~40k). Dema (+~100k) was acquired. We added Hristo for "pennies" (+~50k). Warren is the only salary cap hit from the draftees (+~40k). Rimando (+~90k) and Convey (+~75k) likely got raises/escalators. Santino is no longer P-40 (+~70k). I'm guessing that the other salaries remained relatively the same Prideaux (+70k), Reyes (+95k), Etch (+270k), Nelsen (+70k), Curtis (+30k), Alegria (+30k), Namoff (+30k), and Olsen (+~180k). So, by my guess our roster should be at approximately 1.56M, which leaves us with 140k left. Realizing that anyone we bring in will result in at least the cut of a 30k player, that boosts the realistic value all the way up to 170k. If we actually do have that kind of money, Hudson could be looking at one more quality addition. Of course, it's more likely that I've underestimated things. Also, remember, while Stewart's & Ivanov's salaries have been discounted this season because they were obtained with Allocation money, we will not be able to discount them next season. So, next season with this same group we should be slightly over the cap. Thus, if Etch retires, he'll likely not be replaced by a max salary player. Now, let's speculate on how far off base I was on these salaries. -Tron
actually that makes a lot of sense. i also think it makes more sense at this point to leave a little wiggle room instead of going after another person. maybe keep some people in mind and see how this plays out.
D-tron, I believe that your overall number (140K) is high but not way-off. And, as you point out, depending upon who on the roster is cleared out, that frees up at least another $30K. Frankly, it is just as likely that a more expensive player (Prideaux) could be a candidate. Also, a number of the "renounced" players (Rodriguez, Llamosa) are not likely to be candidates we'd go for. I suspect anyone we'd go for is likely to be a D-mid plus some of the guys who have been cut loose are likely to still be too expensive. Balboa maybe (he's played D-mid before) if he'd sign as a bargain. What may be a HUGE factor here is playoff money. Players who've been cut loose and looking at hooking up for MLS minimum or close to it can double their pay by winning an MLS Cup. That was the same argument that Payne used with Stephen Armstrong to sign him.