I'd guess that's gonna just about spell the end of his career. It's a shame. He's not flashy, but he's been worth around .3 points a game to us.
Over the last season plus a few months we've seen some awful injuries. Clark Kandji Zakuani Casey and now Smith.
don't forget carlos ruiz in the 08 home opener against the galaxy, watching the little fish squirm on the ground was worth the price of admission......along with the 4-0 victory!
This stat doesn't surprise me one bit. What's that old axiom, it's better to be lucky than good? He was all good and no luck. I hope to see him play again.
He turns 31 in November. 2009 4 games 3 starts $170 k 2010 22 games 16 starts $183 K 2011 20 games 18 starts $147 K If you combine that $147 K with the $200 K for dropping Folan ... first you can bump up Cummings who makes $89 K to $180 K Add in Ian Joyce at $70 K ... you can give Kimura a well earned bump from $63 K and Nyassi who is at $42 K to $100 K and $ 70 K respectively. And you STILL have $261 K to go out and find someone that can help us on the left wing (though you have to add in a few $42 K min players which requires more accounting - plus the annual raises - you could get another $18K by replacing Palguta). Bobby Convey right now is sitting on $336. Point is ... he's making serious bank (MLS wise) and just not reliable enough. It's pretty close because he does directly add points to the standings - which few players can do - however with the ACL - he's done till June/July and then he won't be playing at 100% himself - and being 31.5 years old - he may never be. I'd take him back if he agreed to something like $70 K but we need a permanent solution to the left side. I know I know - we're all buddies with him! Get this: Comminges makes $42K ... that's looking like a steal.
I have a hard time telling somebody who's recovering from blowing his knee out playing for the team to take a pay cut or leave. Not that I disagree with your point, we could probably do better, but we should keep paying him while he's rehabbing.
What is his contract status? I don't love the idea of cutting him, but what do you do if there's an option?
I agree, retirement route I think is best or decent route. If not then release him and pay full contract $ and ask MLS for waiver on Salary cap. Offer him rehabbing with Rapids if it will help (I expect he can rehab anywhere).
I know in the past players that didn't have a future on the team were kept on the team until they were healthy (Wes Hart, Matt Crawford, Ross Schunk for examples). Its kind of an unwritten rule in MLS. The IR spot allows them to stay on the team without taking up a roster spot. However the IR spot still counts against the salary cap. I don't know if MLS has some classification that allows a player to stay on the team and keep rehabbing without counting against the salary cap.
Just found this in the roster rules: So if Smith is under contract for next season the Rapids could buy his contract out and offer him the use of the team facilities and personnel during his rehab. Of course this would require the Rapids to spend their own money...
Sports are cruel. The top priority is always what's best for the team ... sometimes teams will do the right thing and sacrifice what's best for the team for a player that has been dedicated. I can't think of one time in Rapids history that has happened. So playing devils advocate ... the Rapids have paid him half a million dollars already ... the results have been mixed ... he's certainly contributed while on the field more often then not. But he's been off the field as more often then not too. And I don't think that's an unwritten rule Maxwell ... I think when a player is on the IR - you cannot cut him and must continue to pay him. It's really too bad - we're a better team with him ... when he's able to play ... but we need some real consistency on the left. And there are players that will be negotiating their contracts this offseason that deserve bumps.