The Official 2023/2024 Off Season Thread

The club had one more option year for Benji (source: the press release when he signed in 2021) so could have kept him around for transfer purposes just by exercising the option. Giving him a new contract with an extension of years suggests that they gave him a decent raise.

 

True, but there's a theory out there (possibly true) that Benji's lackluster performance this past year might have been related to unhappiness with his contract, which I think was essentially a bag of chips (or possibly unhappiness about not getting transferred), while Cade, who was less productive than Benji in 2022, and really even 2023 I suppose on a per minute basis, was getting upwards of $600k or something. So offering Benji a new contract could be a way of hedging your bets. Give him a reasonable contract and either 1) he's transferred or 2) his contract is not so ridiculous that it causes him motivation problems if he's going to stay with your club.

 

That's a theory, but it's based on vibes, not any actual information.

 

Yep, that's why it's just a theory, and yes, without any actual substantiation. At this point it's more of a correlation with no established causation.

 

No. Quakes can't afford to be sentimental with their signings.

 

My theory is that he had no other options because he sucked this year and his vibe was one of not really caring. So he signed with the Quakes because we like to keep marginal MLS players like Benji and TT on the team, but wanted to take him for cheap because nobody else wanted him.

I look forward to be proven wrong.

 

Well, here's a question. If a club exercises an option for a player, is the player contractually obligated to accept it? If the Quakes offered a new contract to Benji he of course could choose not to sign it, but what if the Quakes instead said, we're either going to exercise your option or we'll offer you this new contract? Your pick. This would of course give Benji incentive to accept the new contract.

 

Sign him for a single day contract if you'd like him to retire here.

 

Yes

If the choices offered were to have his option renewed (stay one more year at basically the same pay) or sign the new contract, signing the new contract is the clear choice because it gives him the pay increase. The only reason to decline the new contract would be if he were so eager to leave that he was willing to play out the final year at lower pay and then be free to go anywhere next year.

 

Right, or if his choices were only - new contract or not, then he could have rejected the new contract and signed onto AEK (or anywhere else) for a free if he wanted to and AEK is still interested. But then the Quakes wind up with nothing, and they likely have a sense if AEK or anyone else is still interested. So in that case would it behoove them to keep the option year on the table hanging over his head.

 

Well, that's not entirely clear. This is what mlssoccer says about 12/1. I don't know if "all decisions will be publicized by the individual clubs" means publicized to other teams or publicize to the public or what. Or even if it must be done on 12/1. What we know for sure is that the team must submit their decisions to the MLS league office. Since it seems we don't normally hear until a few days after they are probably not required to publicize to the "public" as in a press release by 12/1, I guess, unless they are technically not in compliance and no one really cares.

Club Deadline to Exercise Options: MLS clubs must submit to the MLS league office which players will have their options exercised and which players will not have their options exercised.

Losing Conference Final clubs must submit exercise option decisions to the MLS league office on the day after their final match of the postseason.

Clubs competing in MLS Cup presented by Audi must submit exercise option decisions to the MLS league office on December 10.

All roster decisions will be publicized by the individual clubs.

 

Yeah Im just running based on what has happened in the past but damn I hope one day that changes.

 

RSL spent, what $12M(?) in transfer fees last year to improve their club, and got a 1st round exit to show for it. I guess the owner is not happy, and Elliot is going to take the Fall.

Also, this is a weird sentence:

"Pablo Mastroeni’s coaching staff will also see significant change with top assistants Matt Taylor, Ignacio Hernandez and Brett Jacobs being dismissed, sources say. The club wants to add more experience behind Mastroeni and accentuate his strengths."

Add more experience to "accentuate Pablo's strengths"?? What the heck does that mean? Sounds like a semi-vote of no confidence for Pablo and they are lighting a fire under him. Also talking about bringing back Kreis in some kind of role. More fire lighting.

Still I think at full strength they are better than us right now, unless we have a really good offseason.

 

Exactly, and let’s have Kreis hanging around for good measure. We’ll think of a job title.

 

Kreis peaked a decade ago. Seems the game has passed him by. Never did anything close to what he accomplished at RSL in any other team he was involved afterwards. Must be great at BS'n his way into new jobs.

 

No. He’s past it.

 

I’d consider it - 1 year, for depth. I’ve always liked his game. Can probably sign him for 2-300k. I think he was at $300k last year.

 

See, this is how it's done when you want to consistently compete. The Crew are still in the playoffs yet they're reloading for next season with a 21 yr old midfielder from Colombia. He's being signed from Pachuca.

Us..... Crickets.

Article is in Spanish though....

https://criteriohidalgo.com/la-copa/encamina-marino-hinestroza-mls

 

Well you don't necessarily get anything out of the early timing. We reloaded our defense late last year - Rodrigues, Akapo, and Trauco. It's more about getting the right person. We need some help with our attack this year - significant help, and I don't really care if the signings are done now or in February, but they have to be good signings, otherwise it'll be a long year.