I have gathered from various posts that it seems some are in favor of trading EJ, others DJ. If you had a choice, and only one could be traded, who would you choose? And you have to choose one, you can't choose neither or both. I am torn. I see the upside with both, and the negatives as well. I really waffle on this one.
While I'd like to see Countess stay with the Burn, DJ got my vote since I suspect that, unlike EJ, at least we might be able to get something of value if we trade him. EJ, on the other hand, probably would net us a 2nd round pick or a "project" player at best. I'd recommend that we hold on to EJ and keep our fingers crossed that he finally reaches at least some of his potential.
No, no. Unfortunetly EJ has been with the team since 2001 and has yet to really shine and everyone just keeps saying "he's still young, give him another year" and while this is probably true, I just can't see him breaking out. DJ on the other hand is an amazing goalie. He shows great skills for such a young goalie and he can only get better. Giving up DJ would be a big mistake because Cassar is good but not that great, and Garlick is getting old and not even close to DJ skill wise IMO (yet I base most of his perfomances against the Burn these past few seasons and we handed them their ass many a time). I hate to sound like Theo, but if we had to trade one I say trade EJ now before other teams realize that he may be a bit overrated.
There is a huge difference between trading and dumping a player. I am not in favor of dumping any of these guys. We dumped Vaca. But, if that trade does not bring us at least a quality starter in a position for which we lack a quality starter then I hold off. I think that Garlick and EJ should be shopped. Had we drafted Cronin, then keeping Garlick to develop Cronin would have made more sense. I think that EJ has some very advantageous attributes that would have many MLS teams very interested. Firstly, the USSF program obviously sees a diamond in the rough. Otherwise, they would not keep calling him up every chance they get. Secondly, he is the current owner of a FIFA gold boot award. I don't know of too many guys with that distinction in MLS. Thirdly, his P-40 designation keeps his salary cap free, this is huge to salary capped out teams. Fourthly, he is just a baby who has been playing for the league's worst team. The same coaches have been working with him for the last couple of years. Every coach in MLS thinks that they will be the one to fix him. I remember some posts at the beginning of the year talking about a goal keeper glut in MLS. Ask Chicago and Colombus if they share those opinions. I think that the glut is officially over. I would hold a team hostage for a goal keeper. Even Cassar is going to be sought after.
The crux of the matter is this: Do you really believe that Colin Clarke's full acumen has been brought to bear in the "finishing" of the EJ product...? If yes, then trade EJ. If not, do you believe that there is any other coach in MLS with a top-flight and mundial "finishing" pedigree equal to that of one Colin Clarke? If so, who? Precisely BECAUSE the keeper glut in MLS has temporarily abated, this is the ABSOLUTE best time to cash in DJ's full value. Two years ago, and two years from now, no way you get the same value for DJ that you can get today. In my opinion, Howard is an abberation. True, World Class, top-flite keepers take 7-10 years of pro ball to truly blossom. In 2 years, MLS will be full of keepers again, and DJ won't be worth jack. In 2 years, EJ, if still sucking, will be worth what he's worth right now, which is not much. But the upside is now, and trading that upside is too much risk based on what it would bring in the current market. This is a no brainer. Trade DJ. -bs
Is this a theoretical or a practical exercise here? Trade them to whom? Who needs a starting keeper? Chicago. Maybe. But they seem pretty content to at least start the year with Ring and Pickens. Who do they have that we'd want? Some other teams might need depth at the position, but no one is going to give up real value just for depth at a position that is relatively easy to fill in this league. With DJ, it's best to wait. Let him compete with Garlic for the starting job and trade whoever loses either at next year's expansion draft, or if Chicago decides they're desperate, when their value will be at it's highest. EJ? Would would like to have an athletically gifted, Youth National team pedigree, young, cap-exempt player? Everyone. What are they going to give you for him. Not much, because as nice as he is to have around, you can't count on him because he hasn't done anything in the league yet. Keep him around, let him battle for a starting job. Make him earn it. If he plays well, you won't want to trade him. If he never does, he's a younger, more cap friendly Ali Curtis.
Since the 4-4-2 is imminent, I'd trade EJ. If coaches saw his level of play last year out wid right, they'd know his future is there - especially after witnessing his demise as a quality finisher. Then, right about when the season was about to start, I'd trade DJ. Decent keepers are easy to find, and all of them would cost half as much as DJ.
I think Countess will eventually go to Europe so I wouldn't trade him without receiving the equivalent of an allocation in return. As of now I think DJ has the brighter future than EJ - until he is moved to a winger position I think he'll continue to struggle to find his place - so I would be more tempted to trade EJ. However, I really wouldn't want to trade either because I don't think we would be receiving full value as their potential hasn't been fully on display yet.