It's been rumored for a while now but a couple of sources are now reporting that Earnie Stewart has inked a 2 and 1/2 year deal with MLS. One of the articles specifically mentions Dallas and DC (whether than is just an assumption or Stewart's unofficial expression of interest--who knows?) Also, Curt Johnson (KC's GM) also made it official (what has been rumored) and that is that ANY returning US National teamer is considered an allocation. So, that means you need an allocation to get him. Fall back is if no teams have an allocation, then the player goes into a lottery and we see who ends up with him. Not renewing Zarco gets you under the cap but not sufficiently to sign Stewart. So you'll need to move someone besides a minimal salary/P-40 player. I would also think that if you do end up with Stewart, it's either the kiss of death for Deering or a guarantee you don't resign Zarco for a lower wage (which is why the Arsenal youth player is in I'd guess--to give you coverage at D-mid). As I look at it, you've got 3 options. 1. Deal with SoS. They've got an allocation. They want Vaca. Unfortunately, trading Vaca is probably note enough cap room for Stewart--unless renouncing Zarco got you low enough (which I doubt. The challenge of a young MLS team is that practically all of these kids sign MLS 3 year or 5 year deals with options held by MLS. Each year they have an automatic $5K-$10K salary jump b/c they start out so low. Add in a few players who would be asking for more than just a $5K increase--like Jordan, Rhine or Broome and cutting Zarco and not resigning doesn't free up enough money to sign Stewart. I think you'd probably need to look at one more player. But still, you can create the cap room without too many gymnastics.) 2. Deal with DC. We've got two allocations. I'd guess that DC would probably want a finisher and a youngster and might sweeten the deal with a draft pick (we've got 4 of the first 14). Kreis and EJ or Stone for the allocation (Stewart) and the 5th choice in the draft? Maybe if DC got 2 strikers (Kreis and EJ) we'd give up the 1st pick (which is probably Alecko Eskandarian--a very good college striker who's dad was an Iranian International and played for Cosmos in the old NASL). You don't have the rights to Zarco anymore. Outside chance we might be interested in Deering--though I doubt it (his salary makes him cost unattractive plus I don't think he's the kind of player Hudson is looking for at that position--not a slam on Deering, just an assumption about the mentality Hudson wants in a holding mid). 3. Hope DC and SoS use up their allocations, that Stewart goes into a lottery, and that your ball rolls in before KC's (b/c at that point, only teams with cap room would be interested and DC and KC are the teams substantially under the cap at present). Thoughts?
My guess is Stewart will get to play where ever he wants. I think he's a big Dallas Cowboys fan because his dad is from Texas. I bet he's signs with the Burn.
Umm....that's not quite the way it works. He may tell the league "I want to go to Dallas." In that case, Dallas will be REQUIRED to trade for an allocation. You won't have any choice. That is exactly what happened with LA and Luis Hernandez. The league signed him and they forced LA to trade for an allocation (which resulted in Jolley and Clint Mathis going to the NY/NJ). You may want him--and he may want only you. But that's actually a terrible situation to be in for MLS. B/c then you are forced to acquire an allocation regardless of the cost. He signs with the league--and it takes an allocation to get him. If the league signs him and he will ONLY play for you, then you will be forced to trade for an allocation--you're a hostage (much like Chicago was a hostage--had to give up Nowak not for a 2003 draft pick but a CONDITIONAL 2004 pick--b/c NE knew they had to trade Nowak or cut him b/c of the cap situation). Bottom line: the team that gets Stewart either has an allocation (either now or trades for one) OR acquires him in a lottery b/c the remaining 3 allocations are all used up. If it comes to a lottery, of the teams with cap room DC and KC would have better chances (b/c the lottery gives you more opportunity based upon your record).
************. I used to like Stewart but I want to see the younger guys develop and I want to see Vaca. He's swell but I don't want the guy.
Colorado also has a small allocation (for Carlos) that they have not used yet??? I wouldn't give up Vaca for allocation if at all possible. I wouldn't be surprised if Cerritos is the odd man out - IF this Stewart deal is to go through. That should give you guys some needed cap room.
Joe is right. That is the way it works. Except the MLS can do whatever it likes. They could say "You lost Zarco and you have an open SI slot, so that is an allocation." The chance of the MLS doing that is just short of absolute zero. Of course, it is probable the MLS will require an allocation. If Stewart says "Dallas or nowhere," I think that Jeffries, Swift, and HSG will fightto keep the price down. It does not seem like the Burn are all that interested. Except the MLS can do whatever it likes.
Not the change the subjest, but why the heck do people call Metro "SoS". If it is a joke I don't get it. Maybe I don't get off the Burn board enough....
1. Cerritos is still injured--therefore he can't be cut. MLS does not allow teams to release injured players. 2. Colorado doesn't get an allocation for Valderama. My understanding is that he didn't retire. In fact, he planned to continue his career (or end it rather) with a club on Colombia. The Rapids chose not to pick up his contract extension. When Chicago didn't renew Kosecki and Podbrozy, they didn't get allocations for them. Only if the allocated player retires from soccer with your team. 3. Sigi Schmid wasn't interested in acquiring Luis Hernandez. The league forced "El Matador" on him (now that conjures up an ugly image!). The league decided that Jolley, Mathis and another player (was it Mauricio Wright?) were going to NYC. 4. Earnie Stewart, right now, is a better player than anyone currently on the DC or Dallas rosters. I think people are forgetting the substantial difference between the level of play internationally and at a club level. Kreis is a superb club level striker who has never gotten it done internationally. Chris Hendersen tears up MLS. Ryan Suarez has been impressive at the club level (and evidently looked terrible at the El Salvador camp in December).
SoS stands for "Spawn of Satan", among other scatological possibilities. It's not a joke--it's the truth. The Mutts and their fans are direst evil, condemned to an eternity of torment. That's why we take such joy in keeping their trophy closet empty despite MLS' best efforts.
It was Joe Franchino who went to New England in the deal, since the Metros and New England had the fewest points in the past 32 games at that point in time. I am still unclear as to why the Metros got the third pick (Jolley) when it was Miami who were third in line at the time, but what can you say about a league whose rules are etched in Jell-O? Mauricio Wright was with San Jose and was traded to New England by Lothar Osiander for Dan Calichman and Mike Burns. Tom
Here is the AP story this thread is refering too... ----------------------------------- The Associated Press AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (January 6, 2003 10:55 a.m. EST) - U.S. star Earnie Stewart will leave his Dutch team and play next season in Major League Soccer with D.C. United or the Dallas Burn.
That's not quite the way it works either. LA did NOT trade for an allocation... they refused to do so league HQ came up with the dispersal draft - LA got Hernandez but the league took away two players (Mathis and Joe Franchino) and put them in the dispersal pot, and they were offered to clubs on the basis of their record over the last 32 games. But unlike Tom states, Steve Jolley wasn't a part of the dispersal draft. That was a seperate trade (with draft picks or considerations going the other way), as far as I know. It remains to be seen how Stewart could land in Dallas. The much-maligned dispersal draft very well might have been scraped, plus I believe it was designed exclusively for late-season signings. So who knows what's up the league's sleeve this time?
I'm repeating the words of KC's GM Curt Johnson who when asked about KC signing Joe Max Moore (who is available on a free transfer) indicated that to sign Joe Max Moore--or any US National teamer coming to MLS--requires an allocation. If there are no allocations (b/c they've all been used up) then there is a lottery based upon record. Now, MLS could change policy (huh--can't image THAT happening?!?). But that is what the GM's (or at least one of them) are publicly saying in the past 2-3 days about how to get Joe Max Moore or Earnie Stewart.
Re: Re: Stewart Signs With MLS--Dallas or DC Much like Joe, you seem to not really know what you are talking about. Admittedly you do know just a little more than him. Jolley was a seperate trade which was done well before AEG the owner of the Galaxy made Sigi Schmid sign Luisa.
One of the previous posts in this thread suggested Cerritos would be the cap answer for the Burn--he could be cut and that would provide enough room for signing Stewart.
The story is a headline on ESPN.com's homepage... http://espn.go.com/gen/news/2003/0106/1487927.html From the article: Stewart said he had been offered a choice of clubs but hasn't made a decision. He is traveling to the United States this week to talk with both teams. "Dallas is in Texas, my father's home state,'' he said. "My wife Yvonne will be coming with me, and her opinion will be the determining factor, I think.''
If he has been given a choice where to play, there must be a trade in place that would allow the Burn to recieve an allocation. The question is how much will the burn give up to get Stewart, if Stewart decides to play for the Burn.
I think that LA traded Daniel Hernandez at that time, also. It may have officially been a seperate deal; however, they needed to do it for cap room for Luis.
Re: Re: Stewart Signs With MLS--Dallas or DC And the rest of the intellectually deficient MLS fans come crawling out of their hovels. Hernandez was obtained from the Mutiny who traded with the Galaxy nearly a season before Luisa was signed. What I want to know is what Garber and before him Logan knew about NASA faking the Apollo 11 mission to the moon?
Re: Re: Re: Stewart Signs With MLS--Dallas or DC Even better than that. Hernandez was released by the Galaxy (I seem to remember LA fans doing the Mepos Dance of Joy when the announcement was made), picked up by the Mutiny, and subsequently traded to the Metros for the rights to Daniel Alvarez. And Jolley was traded to the Metros in April 2000, making his debut in the away game to DC in which Petke scored the OT winner off Lothar's free kick - a good month before Lothar signed. Never let a good conspiracy theory get in the way of facts, especially when you're talking about the Metros - or, in GeekSpeak, the 'SoS'. (talk about the cutting edge of humorous ridicule)
Did not know Cerritos was hurt? That is true can't cut a player that is injured. Colorado does have a minor allocation for Carlos- this is from CO's front office. Now I don't know if the minor allocation would be enough to get Stewart? Joe-Max was offered to Colorado, and that would have required a half/minor allocation + max salary. Which Colorado decided not to go for. Stewart was never in the picture for Colorado. And now they have signed Gilles Grimandi (did not require allocation). Sorry, some of this is a bit off the subject.
I know Cerritos is hurt. I was at the game. Happened right in front of me. There have been discussions in this forum on his (remarkably rapid) recovery that I have joined in. I think that someone cofused Zarco for Cerritos. Zarco is almost certainly done in Dallas. If Stewart does come to Dallas, Cerritos might be headed to DC to clear space and get draft picks for Jeffires to throw around.
1. Cerritos. Maybe he's making an incredible recovery. But league rules indicate that when a player is unable to perform, he can't be cut. So unless he's healthy enough to play right now, he can't be cut. Scipio, I don't think anyone is accusing you of not knowing Cerritos is hurt. You posted "who brought up Cerritos?" when I had mentioned he was hurt. I indicated that an earlier post had said that Cerritos as probably gone to be cut in order to sign Stewart (that would mean sometime this week). I don't think that's going to happen. He might not be with the Burn by the start of the season. But despite his recovery, I didn't think he was completely recovered. 2. DCU has no interest in Cerritos--none. Razov and Dante Washington--yes. Perhaps Kreis, Rhine or EJ. But Cerritos doesn't fill a specific need (as a finisher or target man).
I'd be surprised if Colorado had an allocation for the dumping of Valderrama. It was my understanding that MLS teams no longer received allocations for player retirements, only for missing the playoffs and having a player sold by the league. If an allocated player retiring is still grounds for an allocation, then the Metros would have had 3 allocations this off-season (Missing the playoffs, the Diallo sale and the retirement of Tab Ramos.). These next few weeks will say alot about the credibility of this league. BTW- as has been pointed out, Hernandez and Jolley had NOTHING to do with the Luis Hernandez deal. That, much like the rumor of Roy Myers' salary going through Dallas that season is nothing but the result of a number of confused DC fans. I think it is more than likely that Stewart ends up in DC. Jeffries is either not interested, or not willing to give up value for value, and Stewart fills a DC hole. Unless Yvonne REALLY loves Dallas, I honestly think the Stewart to the Burn rumors are dead.