we know that we need to improve. we probably will need to make trades ... who should we trade so that we get what we need in return...
Powell, however I don't think anyone in the league will be silly enough for that. A prospect like Schmidt could get something, but not much. Maybe throw in Blake.
Bnoji, you haven't read the rebuilding thread recently. 86 Schmidt. He's going back to school full time. Get rid of for sure: Trembly, Hart, Rizo (if anyone will take them) Trades to Consider:Blake, Kingsley, Crawford (but he might be worth keeping ), Sleeth ? (Hard to say since he's been hurt this whole time) I think Powell's worth keeping around at least another season. He didn't really get the chance to gel with the team. Also worth keeping ZiZi.
I agree with the "get rid of for sure" list...Trembly and Rizo especially. Hart could have some bench versatility, but he's inconsistent enough that I'd trade him. As for Blake, Kingsley, Crawford, Sleeth (who?), I am very interested in us developing some depth on our bench, so I would only want to trade these guys for other youth that we can develop on the bench. Except for Sleeth, who I know jack about, Blake, Kingsley and Crawford have all shown potential at one time or another. As for Powell, I think his status in part depends on the status of Mastroeni, and what he does. I would like to see Powell stick around IF he can play most of the season. Veteran trade bait: Henderson
Only trade Hart if you can get something .. which I doubt you can ... otherwise, he's better than a lot of guys on the pine ... and will add depth to the team. We're not going to easily replace him ... it's a weak position in this country. Henderson will not allow himself to get traded I'd imagine. He'd probably retire first ...he's had to travel too much in too short of a time. The only players I can see that may be tradable are: Spenny (he's not going anywhere though) CC ZiZi Chung (he's not going anywhere) Pablo Beckerman Borchers (he's not going anywhere) Cannon Garlick (who wants him really? Every team has a good goalie ... no knock on him) That's it ... no body is going to trade for schmidt kingsley crawford or whoever ... they can pick those players up in the next draft. We don't have a lot of options for a trade. Realistically we can only trade CC or Pablo. I haven't formed an opinion about Powell. But I think Beckerman could play defensive midfield. And I think we could trade Pablo for the central play making midfield this team needs so badly ... plus maybe get an allocation and or first round draft pick. He's not so much a fan favoriate. Anyone agree with that?
The big problem with trades is that I can easily name players I wouldn't mind getting rid of, but can't think of a player in MLS that we could get for what we'd want to get rid of. With the players mentioned the best we could do is trade for a pick in the draft, which is a crapshoot. The only other option might be to trade for a player from DC, Dallas, or the Metros, that just needs to get out of a bad situation. Somebody mentioned that no one would take Powell. I'd be willing to be that the one coach that might take him would be Ray Hudson, who will be looking to replace Marco. Anyone think DC would part with Baby since they never intend to use him in the middle? Would the Rapids benefit from having two young guys in the middle? Would losing three players during the Olympics kill the team? It's easy to pick out who we might trade, but I just can't think of a realistic trade that would help the Rapids. Will the Rapids benefit by trading projects for projects?
a little info on Sleeth http://www.intermark.com/rapids/rp021106.html "He is versatile, strong, and young, and he will certainly be a candidate for a starting spot at right back once we get into training camp." Sounds like Hanki was trying to address the defensive weeknesses on Hart's side when he picked up Sleeth last year. He should have been challengening Hart for the Right-D start this season but he got hurt. If he's healed up maybe it's worth keeping him around and letting Hart go. But who can say? The only time I've seen Sleeth play was in the friendly against that Bosnian club team and when your team is winning 14-0, it's pretty hard to tell who's really capable of what.
If Pablo and Fraser stay, keep in mind that the Rapids will be seriously bumping their heads against the ceiling of the salary cap next year. I can imagine Fraser staying if new coaching comes along, but it's hard to say what will happen with Pablo. Even the Wank would agree that he's a very costly player for someone who's only available for half the games -- and doesn't make a consistently overwhelming impact when he is playing.
Garlick is out of contract with the league and unavailable to be traded. So is Spenny and Pablo. Until these guys resign, they can't be considered trade bait. And no way Garlick does a sign and trade with Hanki still around.
Personallay I hate to see any player get traded but thats the nature of the profession I guess. I think getting rid of CC: geting rid of him would be a mistake. He's one of the younger players that has shown alot of potential. When we were without Spencer last year, he rose to the occasion. Spencer: stays for sure but eventually he will be gone and we better have someone to fill his shoes. Pablo: is a fan favorite with me. Or I guess just my favorite. I think he's a solid player and is one of the few guys on this squad who can almost always be counted on to make his play. With the exception of the cards of course. Chung: Stays for sure. Beckerman, Borchers: Both have shown their potential and are valuable to the team. Henderson, Garlick an Fraser are probably gone. Fraser: is the least likely to leave IMO since he did say he felt he had a few more years in him. Henderson: may be ready to retire due to the Chronic ankle injury he's suffered all year. Garlick: No explanation needed I think. Of all I think I'd miss Henderson the most because he seems to leave it all on the field and his biggest drawbacks seems to be his age and health. Most of the bench as well as Trembly and Hart may be worth trade to bring in new young players (Under a New coach!). And for the record I wasn't too unhappy with Trembly's play this year. He stepped up when we needed him. Hart didn't do too bad at times but I guess I've never been big on him. Vallow is the exception I'd make because he seems like a suitable backup and I'm not too scared when he is called on. Powell: could be valuable assuming he's 100% but shouldn't be wasted on the bench. Dump him if he's a liability at the beginning of the year. Zizi: is pretty talented IMO but doesn't fit in with our style or at least not the style I'd like to see. BUT, his last 2 goals have swayed me to think that he hasn't been given a fair shot. So obviously I'm no expert and may be quite wrong on a few of them. Honestly they can keep the whole lot if it means we get a new coach and GM.