An inside look at MLS transactions by Adam Smartschan, Cape Cod Times, 2/12/2008 http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080212/SPORTS/80211021 Evolution of Revolution has already kicked off by Frank Dell'Alpa, Boston Globe, 2/12/2008 http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer...olution_of_revolution_has_already_kicked_off/
Yes an no. Maybe it's just me, but did anyone else feel that FDA's article was a bit awkward? It appears to me that he tried to have it both ways in the article but failed miserably. Adam's article was excellent. The Magpie
What I took away from what he wrote is the same thing many posters here have been saying: It's clear that the Revs have rolled the dice in letting Dorman, Noonan and John go and seem to have in mind that these roster slots need to be filled by higher quality players---and---so far there is not objective evidence that quality replacements are in the pipeline. I liked the fact that he posted actual numbers about what the Revs had offered both Dorman and Noonan. From those numbers it seems to me that the Revs were nudging both players out the door. My take on the Rev plan behind these actions is simple: This team has stayed remarkably stable for the past 3 plus years, gotten close to winning the Cup and couldn't get the job done. In order to take the team to the next level they need to prune out a few of the weaker links and have done so in letting Dorman and Noonan go. I know some will not agree with their plan but I think we all can agree that it was time for the Revs to make some changes.
True, but there were some new details in FDAs article...at least new to me. The revs offered dorman a little more than double his salary, so probably around $65k which I think is well undervalue. It makes you wonder if he would have stayed if they offered between 100-125k (IMO his value in MLS). And this is the first time I've seen what the Revs offered Noonan. I'm surprised that they tried to cut his salary in half, I would have guessed they offered hime around $175k.
Doc, I can definitely see the logic behind your thoughts. And I hope it pans out that way. Noonan obviously could do some great things but there were also times when he had no impact in a game. Dorman -I speculate- was prone to slumps and it seems at times he got down on himself. At other times he was the flash we needed. A very humble and nice guy -to boot. Lets keep our fingers crossed that the Revs will pull some upgrades out of their asses. It could happen, or we might be about the same as last year (If Cristman, Smith and Wells can step it up). Or I see a scenario were we begin to struggle. In any case, the FO's stingy ways are appauling and insulting to the players. Are you kidding me? They were paying Andy $30,000, while they still held onto Dempsey's transfer money? $30,000. I think a dept. manager at Walmart makes that amount. What does that say about the league and the Krafts?
The more we learn about the Revs business MO, the more I'm surprised that they kept Franchino on the payroll last year.
Probably had a guaranteed contract and they were going to have to pay him anyway (despite his off the field problems, he did have an injury requiring surgery - I don't think you can just "cut" injured players and take them completely off your books)... that is my cynical view, anyway... either that or he had compromising pictures of Sunil
I agree, Frank had another awkward article like this before. It's like he has some stats, wants to present both sides of the story, but does not want to commit one way or the other in why he is presenting these facts, so instead it just kind of leaves the reader saying "Okay, so now what?"
That salary was what he was worth when he signed it. He clearly improved since then and was offered more. The article says (probably from Dorman or his rep) that he was offered double - $60K. You can criticize the team for the $60K offer if you think that is low (I think it's a little low, based on MLS salaries), but it's not fair to criticize the Revs/Kraft/MLS for the lower amount, since they were trying to re-sign him for more for quite a while. Nicol has always valued Franchino more than the fans do. Besides, he's not making big money, is an acknowledged team leader and has a lot of versatility (experience at 3 positions) at this point. I think the Globe's article actually provides quite a bit of information. I think it's pretty clear that they were basically letting Noonan go - that it wasn't a miscalculation. There was no way he was going to take a %50 pay cut if he had ANY other options - and the team knew that. They basically did what the Yankees (oh, how I hate to make that comparison!) did with Joe Torre - offer him something they knew he'd turn down.
...which is defensible if you have someone waiting in the wings who can step in and contribute. And just full disclosure, I think Franchino has been underrated as well--he was very good in 2006. I just think it's interesting that when the team starts pruning salary, it goes for its #2 & 3 goalscorers, and not guys on the tail end of their usefulness.
This makes a certain amount of sense, but I then have to balance it against two things, 1. The Rev's had open cap-room and roster space without clearing these guys out. 2. The Rev's apparently executed step one of the plan without taking significant steps towards the execution of step two. That is to say, if you want to replace significant parts of the team, it makes sense to do your scouting and inquiring before you start making room on the roster, not a few months later. The size of the rosters in MLS leave you with a very thin margin for error.
Think of it like a major corporation going through restructuring. Who are the first group of employees usually let go? Middle-management. Why? Because they have some of the highest salaries and can be replaced, hopefully, by promoting somebody else for less money than the previous employee but still more than they were making. I think that is the case here. Noonan and Dorman represented the 2nd tier in the hierarchy of the Revs team, behind Twellman and Joseph. It could be that Revs management decided these secondary roles could filled by players like Cristman and Thompson or maybe even Khano. It's a gamble, but it's a calculated risk I guess they felt they needed to take. After 3 years of the same, it was time for a locker-room shake-up to hopefully stir the pot and generate some new energy.
Personally, I think FDA is trying to suggest that the Revs low-balled both Dorman and Noonan without coming out and saying it explicitly. Don't get me wrong, it's good to know the dollar figure behind what was being offered to Noonan and Dorman, but the more compelling question is why were these figures were offered? Maybe Jim, Brian, or some of the gang at Revsnet can take a look back at similar circumstances to see when Revolution players were asked to take considerable pay cuts or were offered mediocre raises through the years, and if possible, what the motivation might have been. It would make for a compelling story. The Magpie
GABRIEL BADILLA CERCA DEL NEW ENGLAND Diario Extra (Costa Rica), February 12, 2008 http://www.diarioextra.com/2008/febrero/12/deportes02.php Badilla a un sí de pasar al New England La Prensa Libre (Costa Rica), February 12, 2008 http://www.prensalibre.co.cr/2008/febrero/12/deportes02.php
Seeing as I'm an ignorant single-language American and only comprende English (I know...bad Seamus, bad) I'm going to assume these concern the rumor that this Badilla gentleman is interested in or has already signed for the Revs? EDIT: I BabelFished it...here's a great line... Yes, the equipment certainly does need a power station!
No you are correct. Jeff Causey injured his shoulder (as a back up---in practice) and after the Revs cut him they still had to pay him for almost a year (while he was working as a college asst coach) until his shoulder was healed enough that he was ready to play again. In short--you can't cut a guy while he's injured and rehabbing.
Here is what the computer (literal) translator says: TIBÁS.- The Sports one Saprissa not alone dominates in the national soccer but also in matter of contracting is fashionable, Gabriel Badilla is near to be linked to the New England of the MLS, of the United States. Besides one of its goalkeepers, the young one Esteban Alvarado, will do test in the Mouth Juniors, today travels to Argentina. IT OF BADILLA Mariano Varela, vice president of soccer of the purple picture, indicated yesterday daily EXTRA, that the foreign team needs a head office and therefore is interested in Badilla. "They proposed a total and we have another figure, we expect that agree to both parts. This is normal, but we would be able to negotiate, already we did a counteroffer, they have a stop, and the silver that want surpasses the expectations of the New England, but could not be an obstacle to arrive at an arrangement", explained. The central saprissista has contract to the 2009. "It leaves me tranquil because in the New England are interested in Gabriel, they are going to speak it with the president of the club, I do not want to give for fact that does not be going to do, we are conscious of what can be worth Gabriel, if they are carried they know it that they obtain a player of a great level", asserted Varela. As it said: "It touched me me to to speak with the people of the New England, in the party between Herediano and Saprissa, also I mentioned him other players but they spoke me more than Badilla when they saw it again in the play against Carmelite there was officialized still more the interest". "I believe that Gabriel can succeed anywhere of the world", stated. It EXPECTS ANSWER By their side, Badilla recognized that the negotiations are advanced. "If the things are for one, they are for one, God knows why does them, for any footballer is a pretty opportunity to play abroad", detailed. "We are going to be patient, if leaves has to be somewhat good, for nobody is a secret the rhythm and the dynamics that is played in the United States and Mexico, they are different to ours", mentioned. It revealed that the people of the New England has not spoken him, "they did it with Mariano and with Mr. Mario, I am waiting for to see what is going to happen", emphasized. "This opportunity would arrive myself in a good moment, the experience that lived in Germany served me, here in Saprissa they have clear that do not accept test and that should have hundred percent of confirmation at the moment of to travel", mentioned Badilla. "Here they are going to seek the welfare of the club and of one, I know that the economic part could be the stretch and shrinks ", finalized. IT OF ALVARADO on the other hand, Varela said that it to Assemble Alonso in the soccer of Uruguay there is nothing in concrete. While him of Esteban Alvarado, declared that travels today to Argentina along with Alejandro I Neuter. "We are going to see what do they intend, and what possibilities has Esteban to be remained in Argentina", aimed. While Esteban said that is a pretty opportunity, "I expect to take advantage of to the maximum, they confirmed me that initially I am going to be in Mouth, is a test do not I know about how much time", assured. It recognized that at first went for the River Plate "but latest they confirmed me that business about the Mouth Juniors, supposedly would go with the reserve, I do not know in which division I am going to be, arriving from Mexico, they confirmed me of the possibilities that had in Argentina", concluded.
sounds like the Revs made an offer, the team countered and the ball is in New Englands court good to know the agents are also showing their other players to Nicol and Mariner, another signing just might come of it this does sound somewhat encouraging and if the Revs do not find some way to screw this up they might have a pretty good player for the next few years in Badilla. Sounds like Saprissa expects something to happen in the next couple days,,,,,obviously they don't know who they are dealing with
I used to wear jeans like that! Pro-active salary cap management is all about minimizing charges against the cap ALL the time, not just when you have a need for space (ex. the Pats, who are about the best at it in any sport, cut Lawyer Milloy even though they didn't have to and didn't resign players they really liked [Branch, Givens, Vinitieri] once their salary demands increased beyond what they were willing to pay - they didn't let those guys go because they couldn't pay them, they did it because they didn't think they were worth it). You assign each of your players a value and if you can sign them for that figure you do, if not you let them go.
So are you happy with the way they are backfilling those roster slots given that the start of the season is 45 days away? Would you classify that as pro-active?