At long last, MLS has free agency. Or at least some semblance of it.
MLS officially introduced free agency into its offseason agenda this month, marking the first time that the player acquisition mechanism was used in the league’s 20-year history. It took little time for the historic first signing to come, too, as Sporting Kansas City announced on Monday that it had landed Justin Mapp, who met the specific free-agent requirements of being at least 28-years old and having a minimum of eight years of MLS service.
Players across the league have long desired more freedom and less restraint over where in MLS they can go play, which is why the introduction of limited free agency in a league built on parity was seen as a win for them back when the new Collective Bargaining Agreement was made earlier this year.
As far as the 31-year-old Mapp is concerned, that is still the case. His unprecedented experience with free agency was mostly positive. Mostly.
“I thought it was definitely refreshing, but maybe a little bit overwhelming because myself and anybody has never really gone through this” said Mapp on a conference call on Monday afternoon. “Just trying to take it all in and weigh different variables and what not (was a lot), but I think the fact that players who have played in this league a long time and have seen and helped the league grown kind of deserve this opportunity, especially in the latter stages of their careers. They’ve put in the time, and kind of get a bit more of a say of where they want to live, want to play.
“It was refreshing, but the process was definitely something different.”
Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes did not want to go too into detail about the free-agency process during the conference call, but he seemed to reveal a rule unbeknownst to the public. Vermes said he “thinks” MLS limits clubs from signing more than two internal free-agent players, meaning that the Sporting KC can only go after one more.
While that might surprise some on the outside given that it further restricts player movement, Vermes admitted he was pleased to see the player acquisition method introduced.
“I think it truly does give players the opportunity to have a choice towards the end of their career,” said Vermes. “I don’t think Justin is at the end of his career. I just think if you’ve been in the league and you’re 28 or older and you have eight years in the league, you get a chance to pick a place where you want to be. I think for a lot of them that is very valuable because it could be location, it could be a financial decision, it could be the opportunity to play maybe within a style that suits them.
“There’s a lot of different variables. I don’t think it’s just one, but I think it gives them a choice. It’s another step in the growth of our league, and I think it’s great that the process – at least from my perspective and I think Justin would probably say the same – it’s worked. I’m sure as we move forward in this process, there’s going to be different things that will be discussed and probably to help maybe better the system, but I do think it’s provided Justin and the rest of the candidates with the opportunity to have a choice.”
Vermes stated that even as he and Sporting KC stand on the verge of losing one of their veteran midfielders to free agency. Paulo Nagamura is the lone player from the club’s 2015 roster on the open market, and Sporting KC would feel the negative impact of free agency should he choose to sign elsewhere in the coming days.
Sporting KC is, of course, hoping to bring him back, but Vermes will not be upset if Nagamura decides to go to another club. Vermes knows already that that is part of the give-and-take of free agency.
“I think in our business you have to be able to adapt and adjust very quickly,” said Vermes. “We knew coming into the end of this year that there was going to be this situation with Paulo. I have the utmost respect for Paolo. He’s definitely one of those guys on our team that I admire a tremendous amount. I worked very hard to try and get him here.
“But whatever the situation, whichever way it goes, I understand. I understand the business that we’re in, and sometimes those situations happen. As I said, it could be for different variables or it could be for one or it could be for all. I don’t know. That’s really up to the individual to make that decision, but it won’t be for a lack of want of the player, I can assure you of that, if he leaves.”
I think he makes a valid point. Just because you do t like it doesn’t make him a troll. Maybe elsewhere, but not in this thread
Hm, why would anyone think the schmuck is a troll? Maybe it was that nonsense, “it only applies to like three people”, or maybe it was his hashtag #bushleaguemls”. Just a couple guesses…
I think the hastag is a bit much but MLS does kind of do some Bush League ‘Ish. On the other hand … If it waddles like a duck, quacks like a duck then what else could it be?
Amazing nerve to call this free agency. How is it free agency if it only applies to like 3 people?
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Even in McDonalds the fry guy can change locations if he wants.
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#bushleaguemls
You arent a fan of MLS, yet you insist on making negative comments on MLS articles. The internet has a name for that. #quitbeingatroll
It’s going to apply to more and more players as time goes on. Honestly, the service time requirements are not far off from the NHL and MLB. By the next CBA, MLS will have fairly standard free agency.
That’s not a bad point. I had to look up the facts to compare them (since I wasn’t very familiar with MLB’s system). Here’s the system: “A player with six or more years of Major League service who has not executed a contract for the next season is eligible to become a free agent.” Of course, in MLB they are able to go to arbitration after year three of their professional service for a salary bump with a chance if its warranted.
My primary issue with MLS is age requirement with the years of service. If a kid comes into MLS at 18 he’ll have to wait 10 years before he’s eligible for this system. We keep screaming at Jordan Morris to come in but there are more reasons not to come to MLS as a young player than to do so with all of the restrictions within the league. To say nothing of the league’s history of holding on to American players for too long when attempting to sell players, too.
I know it’s baby steps, but for some of us we’ll continue to casually tune-in until a few decades have passed and the training wheels AND Don Garber are gone.
more reasons not to play in MLS as a young player? wtf are you talking about? there was basically NO place for young Americans to go as a young player to develop into professionals here in the states until relatively recently…you know, until MLS.
@ beachbum:
Your focus appears more intent on giving MLS a pat on the back when I’m more focused on reality. Quite obviously when I’m referencing someone turning pro at the age of 18, referring to players of talent and potential. If you’re under the impression these players have no other options you may as well change your name to “Stop Whining about US Soccer” being a complete zealot for MLS.
That’s great you want to reference a time when MLS didn’t exist, but that literally has nothing to do with my post unless we’re expecting kids (who weren’t even born when MLS was created) to harbor the same “Aww Shucks” nostalgia you sheepishly display.
If my post was unclear and my distinction to the example was not precise: you read it wrong. Try again.
Old School, I agree with you on the age requirement. It’s an odd wrinkle and I don’t really see the justification for it.
It certainly applies to more than 3 people but I get your point. I think it should simply be a years served issue. It would be so much easier to sign players to a standard 5 year deal allowing the player Free Agency after fulfilling the terms of the contract … Or a 5 year + 1 option as a Restricted Free Agent.
This would allow teams to
1. CONTROL THE WAGE BILL which is necessary in a salary cap league
2. RECOUP SOME COST of salary and/or other player development expenses through the mechanism of buying out the option year of the contract which can be triggered through the player and/or pursuing club. (This act as a hybrid Bozman/transfer mechanism)
This would allow players to
1. GET A GUARANTEED CONTRACT which secures their signature for their services to the club
2. GAIN FREEDOM OVER THEIR CAREER development after fulfilling their professional/legal obligations or purchasing their Free Agent rights setting them up for increased opportunity in the workforce/transition into a new workforce via the aforementioned Hybrid Bozman/transfer mechanism
I like the premise of this. Perhaps the next collective bargaining will be more akin to this, than the current system.
Again, baby steps. I get it…but wake me up when it’s over.